Uruburu May Be Gators' Next Great Quarter Miler

Nick Uruburu can handle pressure. With the 3A State Championship on the line, the Bartram Trail senior and the rest of his teammates were given simple instructions. They needed to win the 4x400 meter relay, the last event of the night to win state. Lose and they come up short overall. It was that simple. With every fan in the University of North Florida stadium on their feet Uruburu got the baton on the anchor leg in fifth place. What happened next was nothing short of incredible. The senior took off like a bat out of you know where and mowed down the field with a blistering split  of 46.6 seconds. Bartram Trail had won the team title and in large part to Uruburu's sensational performance. He says that race was huge for his recruitment as well.

 

"A lot of coaches were either at the meet or had seen it on video. I think they liked it."

 

Earlier in the day Uruburu gave Bartram Trail ten points with a 46.78 win in the open 400 meters. Add that to one of the most memorable races of  the year and the offers started to pour in. Uruburu took official visits to the University of Georgia, University of Alabama, and the nearby University of Florida. The recruitment period has been an exciting time for the standout, knowing that colleges from across the country coveted his services. At the end of the day, one school stood out above the rest.  He says it was a combination of factors that led him to go with the Gators.

 

"I know UF is a great academic school. I also know that they have an outstanding track program. The runners were really cool. They made me feel really welcome. The coaches are fantastic. I have always had a great amount of respect for Coach Holloway and the rest of the staff."

 

The tradition and success of the Gator program also resonated on Uruburu. The standout quarter-miler has taken notice of the success of fellow 400 runners like Tony McQuay, Hugh Graham, Dedric Dukes, Arman Hall, Najee Glass, etc.  Also, the fact that the 4x400 meter relay recently ran the fastest time in the world grabbed his attention. He says those factors were also very important.

 

"I wanted to chose a school that I know would be giving the same back to me as I was giving to them. They have produced great 400 runners and I want to be a part of that. Also, I can't wait to run with those guys everyday at practice. It will be some of the best competition I will see all year."

 

Now that his college decision is behind him he can focus on tasks for his senior season. After basking in the glow of Bartram Trail's first track and field state championship team and standing on the podium with his teammates, Uruburu says he wants more. 

 

"I am overly hard-working. I rely on the work and preparation I've put in to achieve my goals. I try to get better every time I step on the track. This year, I want to be a leader on and off the track to the rest of my team. Also, to do my best to try and help the team defend our state title."