10 Questions with Robby Andrews
By now anyone with any interest in collegiate track knows what a great year Robby Andrews had as a frosh running for the University of Virginia. Huge PRs in the 800m (1:45.54) and mile (4:01.55), an indoor NCCA Championship in the 800m, outdoor NCAA runner-up, ACC Performer and Freshman of the Year and that unforgettable anchor leg at Penn on the 4x800 for the win are just a few of his accomplishments. Robby took a few minutes from the start of classes at UVa and training to answer some questions for us.
1. What surprised you most about training and competing at the college level?
RA: What surprised me the most was how hard everyone trains. I guess from doing most workouts by myself, I thought that no one else could be working as hard as I was. I have never been around so many dedicated and hard working athletes in my life, and it only pushed me to better myself that much more.
2. What is your least favorite workout, the one that invariably makes you feel like you’re going to lose it?
RA: Vig (coach Jason Vigilante) has some tough ones for us but my least favorite would have to be repeat miles or some type of tempo run. I usually do them with a 5k/10k guy like Ryan Collins, so it was very challenging to say the least. I know its good for me but it’s hard to think about that in the middle of the workout!
3. What achievement from your first year running at the college level are you most proud of?
RA: This is very difficult, but I am most proud of making the outdoor NCAA final with my teammate Lance Roller. I felt like every race was one to be proud of, but there is something about racing with someone you get to train with everyday that really makes it special.
4. Is UVA as academically tough as it is reputed to be?
RA: Yeah! But Vig, as usual, had a plan for it and it worked for me. The Athlete Academic Center and all of the tutors worked great for me and I learned a lot from them my first year, mostly things you can’t learn in a classroom.
5. What were your least and most favorite subjects?
RA: My favorite subject is math; I like knowing that there is a definite answer to the problem and that it can be solved. English is my least favorite.
6. What do you do most at school when you’re not training or racing?
RA: As (former teammate) Alex Bowman told the world, I am probably taking a nap! Otherwise I’m with my teammates or girlfriend. There is a lot to do at UVa, so I never get bored, especially since the amount of time track and school take up don’t leave too much left over.
7. What is the best movie you have seen in the past year?
RA: I am a huge Iron Man fan and was impressed with the sequel but I’m a pretty big movie buff so just going to the any movie is fun for me.
8. What really annoys you?
RA: Waking up 5 minutes before the alarm goes off…giving me a headache just thinking about it
9. What was your best high school moment/achievement ever?
RA: Getting to run at the Millrose Games and then at the Penn Relays on the same day as my Dad, Big Bob did. He helped me out so much and it was something really special being able to watch the master in action! I still have so much to learn.
10. What advice would you give your high school friends who are runners and looking to continue their careers in college?
RA: I would tell any high school runner looking to run in college that they should have as much fun as possible and stay humble. If you can do those two things then college running is going to be a very easy transition for you and you are very likely to get along with your coach and teammates better.
Photos:
Robby Andrews nips Oregon's Andrew Wheating in the 4x800m Relay at Penn
Photo by: Matt Shatkus
