There is no doubt Florida is one of the most talented states in the country when it comes to track and field. We wanted to honor the best of the best with our 2013 Track & Field Athlete of the Year awards. Andres Arroyo of Colonial High School is our winner in the Boys Distance Event category. The senior pulled off the distance triple by winning the 800,1600, and 3200 meters at the 4A state meet. The Grenadier star was ranked in the top ten nationally in all three events and will go down as one of the greatest distance runners the state has seen.
As a junior Andres Arroyo made history for Colonial High School. He brought home the school's first team championship in any sport, when the Grenadiers hoisted the team title in cross country. Arroyo crossed the line first and was an integral part of Coach Rene Placensia's team. He carried that winning mentality onto the track where he picked up three more titles two as an individual in the 1600 and 3200 and one as a member of the team's 4x800 meter relay. Five state championships in one year. Not too bad.
What do you do for an encore? Arroyo began working harder and focusing on core strength with his personal trainer Ernest Wiggins. Tire flips, pulling sleds, lifting weights; it was all part of the new routine in addition to countless miles on the track and on the trails. The Grenadier star added another individual title to his resume during cross country and another for the school's trophy case. Coming off peak physical condition, he competed in the prestigious Brooks PR Invitational where he placed third indoors against some of the toughest competition in the country with a time of 1:51.10. That would set the tone for his first test of the season at Florida Relays. It wasn't really a test though. Arroyo pulled away from the field and shocked everyone in attendance when he crossed the line in a US#1 time of 1:47.51 and #4 all-time by any high schooler in the United States. He went onto run 4:04.45 (US#7) and 8:51.47 at the Brian Jaeger Elite Classic (US#10). Arroyo ended his season with an eighth place finish at the Adidas Dream Mile.
With his incredible range and blazing times, it is no wonder Andres Arroyo, a University of signee, will go down as one of the best the state has seen.
Congratulations to Andres Arroyo our 2013 Athlete of the Year for the Boys Distance Events!
