(Photo by Jef Adams)
Andres Arroyo is only a junior and is raking in the hardware. The Colonial star was recently named the Gatorade Florida Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Arroyo started off the season with a runner-up finish at the UF Invitational and then a stellar fourth place showing up in North Carolina at Great American. The junior then shocked many people when he upset Clemente in the final stretch at Pre-State winning in an incredible time and personal best of 14:59.18. One month later he continued his success at Little Everglades Ranch winning the 4A State Championship in 15:13.74, twenty-four seconds more than the nearest competitor. That marked the first state title for Arroyo and helped guide the Grenadiers to a team title.
Andres Arroyo is only a junior and is raking in the hardware. The Colonial star was recently named the Gatorade Florida Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Arroyo started off the season with a runner-up finish at the UF Invitational and then a stellar fourth place showing up in North Carolina at Great American. The junior then shocked many people when he upset Clemente in the final stretch at Pre-State winning in an incredible time and personal best of 14:59.18. One month later he continued his success at Little Everglades Ranch winning the 4A State Championship in 15:13.74, twenty-four seconds more than the nearest competitor. That marked the first state title for Arroyo and helped guide the Grenadiers to a team title.
In addition to athletic excellence, the award also recognizes academic achievement, and character on the course and off. Arroyo maintains a "B" average while also excelling on the baseball diamond, and volunteering in the community.
According to Coach Rene Plasencia in the official release from Gatorade he says Arroyo had an amazing breakout season as a sophomore and just kept it going.
“He’s an extremely hard worker and very dedicated. He became smarter about his races this year. He would actually study film on people he was racing against and listen to their interviews to get an edge.
Arroyo becomes the fourth runner to win this award since its start in 2007 joining Jimmy Clark (2010-2011), Matt Mizereck (2009-2010), and Brian Atkinson who won the award twice (2008-2009, 2007-2008).
Personal Bests
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1600 Meter Run4:15.95
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3200 Meter Run9:26.60
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5000 Meter Run14:59.18
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