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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Charles Derousselle
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Home Phone: -- Former Track & Field: Derousselle recalls perfect streak Bruce Brown • bbrown@theadvertiser.com • May 2, 2010 Did you ever have one of those days when you felt everything was going your way? Charles Derousselle of Breaux Bridge had two years like that in track and field, when he was virtually unbeatable in the 800-meter run. The remarkable stretch culminated in the 1981 LHSAA State Meet, when Derousselle set the Class 3A record of 1:52.50 for his second straight state crown. That standard still stands heading into this year’s meet, to be held Thursday through Saturday at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium, and is one of the more longer-lasting marks in the LHSAA record books. “Early in the year, just after basketball was over, I ran a 1:52.7 at DeRidder,” said Derousselle, who was undefeated in the 800 in 1980 and 1981. “That senior year, it seemed like every week we broke a meet or track record. “I was gifted with great talent, but I also had one of the best coaches in America in Carl Lawson. With him, my confidence level was off the charts.” Although supremely confident, Derousselle had with to withstand a test before repeating as champion. “I ran a pretty good race at regionals against Larry Butcher of Catholic High,” Derousselle recalled. “He almost beat me. I was excited about the state meet. I ran a strategic race. It was nothing but strategic. I knew I was going to win. “I led all the way, and had a really good time.” Derousselle was also a two-time district cross country champion at BBHS, and the team placed fifth at the state meet. He disliked the longer distances, but credits Lawson with building his strength and endurance. Then, once the outdoor season began, he faced the prospect of being the athlete to chase. “You’re motivated every race,” Derousselle said. “You’re always nervous. It’s always tough. You always have butterflies in your stomach. I remember my first race in eighth grade, without a clue of what was going on, having butterflies. Those never go away. It’s always challenging.” Derousselle finished his high school career by joining coach Charles Lancon and Lafayette High pole vaulter Greg Duplantis at the prestigious Golden West meet, where he ran a 1:51.9. Duplantis remains the Class 4A state record holder at 17-0.75, set in 1981 when Derousselle established his mark. He went on to star at LSU and is one of a handful of Americans ever to clear 19 feet in his event. His son Andreas (also of Lafayette High) will defend his state pole vault title this Saturday. Collegiately, Derous-selle excelled at USL (now UL) as part of an infusion of area talent. He remains in the Ragin’ Cajun record books, as well, in a pair of relays. But college was challenging in other ways. USL dropped out of the Southland Conference and competed as a Division 1-A independent, removing a conference meet from the equation and robbing athletes of some of the focus they had been accustomed to with district, regional and state action in high school. “It was tough being an independent,” Derousselle said. “You have to be self-motivated to get yourself through the season. I was All-Southland Conference indoors and outdoors my freshman year. I ended up running 12 different events at USL.” Derousselle spent six years coaching at Southern University, producing six All-Americans, and is currently a businessmanin the Baton Rouge area. He still keeps up with track and field in the Acadiana area, and saw a collection of talent last Wednesday as Northside High swept boys and girls titles in the 4A regional meet. At that meet, he was especially intrigued by the 400-meter dash in which BBHS sophomore Kavahra Holmes’ 48.02 bested Jamar Vallaire of St. Martinville (48.60) and Northside’s Keenan Jackson (49.72). “I see special talent there,” Derousselle said of Holmes. He’s seen that somewhere before. Below are LHSAA State Track Meet records held by athletes in the Acadiana area:
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