Freshman anchorman Andrews taking U.Va. track program to higher level

Track and field

May 02, 2010|By By Dave Fairbank | | 247-4637

Stay healthy. Don't flunk out. Those were the goals that freshman Robby Andrews set for himself when he arrived at the University of Virginia last fall.

A national championship and the anchor leg on the school's first Penn Relays Championship of America title in 67 years, not to mention a solid academic showing thus far, are so far beyond his expectations that he can barely contain himself.

"It's been so great," Andrews said last week. "I've been so blessed, to have such a great team, a great coach, and it's been a lot of fun. I really couldn't be happier."

Easy to see why. He was unbeaten during the indoor season, whichwas crowned by his win over University of Oregon All-American and U.S. Olympian Andy Wheating at 800 meters at the NCAA championships.

Andrews essentially duplicated the feat last weekend, outkicking Wheating again in the final meters on the anchor leg of the 4x800 relay at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

Asked if he were surprised by Andrews' accomplishments thus far, Virginia track and field director Jason Vigilante said, "I try not to limit or peg people to a certain vision. Every challenge that he's had, he's been able to meet. I'm pretty conservative-natured — try not to over-race him or overuse him.

"I would say that it's a pleasant surprise, but I never ruled it out as a possibility, even from the first day."

Indeed, as remarkable as Andrews' year has been,