Former NCAA sub-miler jumps into high school XC race and loses

Former NCAA runner University of Texas, Brendan Hebertdecided to return to high school on Friday to compete in the state high school cross-country championships in Austin, Texas.

Hebert, 22, ran under four miles in February and finished second in the 5K race. Kevin Sanchez Austin Vandegrift HS. according to Mile Split USA, Hebert was invisible from the start, wearing a singlet from nearby Lake Travis High School. He graduated from Lake Travis in his 2018 and University of Texas XC/Track program where he competed for four years and graduated in June 2022.

In running, a bandit is someone who isn’t officially in a race, but feels it’s okay to jump in and run. From the race director’s point of view, having unregistered runners on the course is a serious liability.

When asked about his motivation for running this race, Hebert said it was for fun. said.

After further investigation, Sanchez entered high school in 2019. Sanchez said he doesn’t know who Hébert is.

Brendan Hebert, 22, in Texas XC today: pic.twitter.com/zlh7kRGYqs

— Cory Mull (@ByCoryMull) November 5, 2022

Shortly after the race, the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body of high school sports in Texas, disqualified Hebert for his performance.

Sanchez said of Hébert Mile Split USA:

“I know he started and finished the race, but I didn’t know anything about him. I’m not entirely sure what the circumstances were around that, but I know it happened and it’s ridiculous.”

During his time with the NCAA, Hebert was named to the 2022 Academic All-Big 12 Second Team. Also in 2019, he was recognized as an NCAA Indoor All-American as part of the Texas Distance He Medley He Relay team that reached the NCAA Indoor Championship.