Armando Del Valle - Senior @ Miami Columbus
Armando Del-Valle remembered what happened at last year’s state championship when he faced off against Ryan Pickering, the Oregon signee out kicked him in the final moments to take home the title. This year at the Florida Relays, Coach Jorge Fleitas decided they would turn the tables.
“The plan was to stick with him, stay on the shoulder and take the lead with 600 meters to go. He closed strong and negative split the last 800 meters (2:01), and ran a 56 the last quarter mile. I was very excited that he listened which was key to the whole thing.”
Del-Valle’s kick was deadly. It appeared the Miami Columbus senior was kicking into another gear which propelled him to a personal best 4:11.43, the fastest time in the state and fifth fastest time in the country for 2011.
“Personally I think he has one of the best kicks I’ve ever seen. He is a very aggressive runner. When it comes down to the end that is what I think makes the difference, his aggression. If he’s near someone he feels he has the opportunity to beat them. I think that alone is what drives him, it’s nothing that we do, it’s his natural kick. It’s just a talent that he has.”
Coach Fleitas says three years ago when Del-Valle started in the program he had trouble finishing workouts and performing them in the time they wanted. He adds that since then Del-Valle’s work ethic has grown dramatically and he has become a leader on the Columbus team.
“I decided to make him captain his sophomore year because he had those qualities as a leader. He is what pushes the pace. If he goes hard, they go hard. He doesn’t really have an aggressive outgoing attitude as a leader but he shows it with his actions. He knows after he is gone there are kids that are going to fill his shoes and he wants to teach them that it’s up to them to teach the future generation.”
As the son of a Coral Gables police officer, Del–Valle has been instilled with the attitude of not putting yourself above others, remaining humble, and in check. It is those qualities combined with his pure talent that has Fleitas raving about the future Florida State Seminole.
“They are getting a champion and they are getting someone who is going to come in and make the team stronger right off the bat. I think he’s going to make a difference at the start and that’s saying something with a team like FSU. He is a very special type of runner. As long as he stays healthy, he will be very very special.”
<p> </p> <p> ----------------------</p> <p> Brought to you by Warrior Running Camp</p> <p> </p>
