When Andres Arroyo was a freshman at Colonial High School seven years ago he had dreams of playing Major League Baseball. Chasing down fly balls in centerfield, Arroyo would later find out that his speed was better suited on the track located behind the ball fields. He went onto win four state titles in track and two in cross country for a total of six in his high school career as a Grenadier.
Arroyo chose the University of Florida where he is currently a junior for the Gators. He's won two SEC indoor championships and has been an NCAA finalist several times. At the Florida Relays, he added Olympic qualifier to that list of accolades after running a 1:45.78 800m.
Watch the race below, video provided by YouTube userAndrew Barlett
United States 400m standout David Verberg set the pace at 51.2 seconds for 400 meters before stepping off the track at 500m. Arroyo along with fellow Puerto Rican and close friend Wesley Vasquez took over the race with Vasquez winning in 1:44.75 and Arroyo one second later, marking his first sub 1:46 performance in his career. The duo will represent their county in Rio De Janeiro at the 2016 Olympic Games. It's an honor the Gator junior said he is reminded of everyday he leaves his room.
"Since last August I've had a paper in my room that says 1:45.80 #Rio. Everyday I put it right next to my door so I wake up and I see that paper and I've always wanted to hit that time and today everything seems surreal that I broke it and went faster than the time I wanted to get!"
When Andres Arroyo was a freshman at Colonial High School seven years ago he had dreams of playing Major League Baseball. Chasing down fly balls in centerfield, Arroyo would later find out that his speed was better suited on the track located behind the ball fields. He went onto win four state titles in track and two in cross country for a total of six in his high school career as a Grenadier.
Arroyo chose the University of Florida where he is currently a junior for the Gators. He's won two SEC indoor championships and has been an NCAA finalist several times. At the Florida Relays, he added Olympic qualifier to that list of accolades after running a 1:45.78 800m.
Watch the race below, video provided by YouTube userAndrew Barlett
