Brian Jaeger Classic: Arroyo All-Time #2 8:51, Glover 10.60/21.17/46.46

Apr 13, 2013

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Andres Arroyo Joins Elite Club to Go Sub-1:50 and Sub-9:00; 8:51.47 Solo Effort Today

It has been an incredible season for Colonial senior Andres Arroyo. It has taken him from being the top distance runner in the state to perhaps soon to be regarded as one of the best high school distance runners ever. The 2013 season started for him much the way the 2012 year ended--with cross country. He represented Puerto Rico in the World Cross Country finals in Poland before diving whole-heartedly into track mode. And once he did, the times began to fall.

After an early season solo 4:10 effort, there was a brief (comical) pit stop with the discus, before he dropped a lot of jaws with a 4:04.45 for 1600--the third best in Florida all-time in that event. Last weekend, he mesmerized us all when he laid down one of the most beautiful races we've ever witnessed: the stunning 1:47.79 state record in the 800 meters. The very next day he ran a solo 9:01 in the 3200 meters at a low key meet at Embry Riddle under windy conditions.

Today at the Brian Jaeger Elite Classic in Winter Park, he ran the much anticipated 3200 meter race again. Despite the field being well-stocked with Florida talent, Arroyo was all alone within the first 200 meters and kept it that way the entire race. He was even LAPPING people half way through the THIRD lap of the race--holy crap!

He laid down splits as follows: 63.03, 64.47, 66.06, 68.02, 68.88, 69.07, 68.65, 63.09. The gave him a final time of 8:51.47, ranking him second all-time in Florida and the fastest ever high school 3200 meter time on Florida soil. The 1977 state record of Brett Hoffman is safe for now; Hoffman ran a two mile time of 8:53.1 that converts to 8:49.91. Arroyo is now first all-time in the 800, third all-time in the 1600, and second all-time in the 3200.

According to well-known Florida track junkie Chris Nickinson, he becomes only the FIFTH ever in the entire country to break 1:50 in the 800 meters and sub 9:00 for 3200 meters. That is some range! He joins Spivey, Alan Webb, Edward Cheserek and Engels on that list.

Many speculate that a run after the legendary 4-minute mile is next on his list. It will most likely be at least until late May (if not June) until he gives that one a go--he's got the state series to contend with first, which of course runs the 1600 meter race. A sub-4 1600 would certainly be great... especially if he knocks it out by a lot... but it would not mean nearly as much as the full mile. So for the next several weeks the question may be does Arroyo attempt pull off a state meet triple-gold... either with three individual events or two individuals and a 4x800 relay? For the time being, the times will most likely will be less of a priority over the next month.

The one knock on Arroyo truly attaining national all-time great type status is that (so far) he has yet to win any major national titles. There will be several opportunities to right that wrong with big national meets from May into June: Golden South (which he would almost certainly dominate and wouldn't rise to that level of meet without some surprise entries), Dream Mile in NYC, Preftontaine Classic, and New Balance Nationals. Winning Dream Mile or New Balance would check that box of national high school titles. And should he make an attempt at the Preftontaine Classic, that would be the best attempt for him to get into a race against professionals and possibly challenge the all-time national record at either 800 meters or *gasp* perhaps the sub four mile? After all, the Prefontaine Classic is the race where Webb broke Jim Ryun's record. Hopefully we'll see his name on that entry list!

Not too long ago many of us thought sub-4 was a very long shot, even after his 4:04.45 1600--since that's still a good six seconds away for the full mile. Lately though, his times and range are starting to line up favorably to the likes of Webb and other greats. Webb's high school personal bests were 1:47.74 for 800 meters, 8:42.14 for 3200 meters, and of course 3:53.43 for the full mile record. Most consider Arroyo a prime candidate to join the very exclusive club. Since the dawn of American track only five runners have broken the mark: Jim Ryun, Tim Danielson, Marty Liquori, Alan Webb, and Lukas Verzbicas. All five have achieved legendary status in the sport. Could Arroyo be next in line?

He's sure make Florida and Puerto Rico proud if so!

Video Interview

Race Video #1

Race Video #2

Reggie Glover Triples in Sprints

After showing us a fantastic kick on the 4x400 last week at Florida Relays, Dr. Phillips senior Reggie Glover showed us what we could do individually. He completed the sweep of the sprint events in a very impressive fashion.

He started out the day with a new personal best in the 100 meters with a 10.60. Next up, in his specialty event he laid down a NATIONAL LEADING time of 46.46 in the 400 meter dash. Finally capping off his trifecta, he ran a state sixth-ranked 21.17 to win the 200m.

Video Interview

Race Videos: 100 | 200 | 400

Blake Dominates Distance Events - Triples In 800,1600, 3200

Her times might not have been personal bests, but Dr. Phillips senior and FSU signee Bridget Blake proved why she is one of the top distance runners in the state winning all three distance events easily. She clocked a sub five minute 1600 time of 4:58.95 winning by over 17 seconds. In the 800, she won by nearly three seconds, in a time of 2:16.28, and capped off her afternoon with an 11:06.28 showing in the 3200 to win by 27 seconds. It will be interesting to see if Blake, like Arroyo competes in the three open distance events, or does two and a 4x800m relay.

Race Videos: 800 l 1600 l 3200
Bridget Blake Interview

Olympia Vaulters Soar To Success

Freshman Summer Schafers cleared 11-9 earlier in the year, but was unable to clear 11-6 in her past three meetings including Saturday at the Brian Jaeger Classic. Schaefers switched to her biggest pole early on and cleared 11-6 before missing at 12-0. Schafers is one of the top pole vaulters in the state and still has three years left to go. Training with Allison Zimmerman and Clayton Washburn her teammates has definitely helped the youngster have a group to workout with her and push her throughout the season. Speaking of Washburn, the Olympia senior was on some recruiting visits this past week, but still had time to perfect his craft. Washburn won the boys pole vault with a new personal best of 15-1. That is the second best jump in 4A and in the state only behind Cayman Ellis of St. Petersburg High School.

Clayton Washburn - 15'1 Pole Vault Clearance
Summer Schafers Interview

Whitaker Sweeps Throws

Apopka senior Jamal Whittaker had a phenomenal day in the throws. Whitaker thew 56-09.50 to win the shot put. It was a new personal best and the first time he ever launched the implement over fifty feet in his career. In the discus he set a new season best to win that event with a mark of 171-0. His personal best is 173-09 and he says that if he wants to achieve his goal of winning state he hopes to throw the shot 60 feet and the discus 190 feet. In 2012, he was the regional champion in the shot put and finished third in the discus.

Jamal Whittaker Interview