PA Salute To Seniors: Andy Ogormandinardoarmenta - Central (Philly)
What was your most memorable race/competition?
This year´s most memorable competition for me was the Abington Jack Armstrong Invitational. I entered the 3200m race at that meet as a replacement for a teammate who had been injured. There was a lot of doubt towards how well I would do in that race by my teammates, but I ran my heart out and set a new best by 30 seconds to qualify for the Philadelphia Public League Championships. It was also at that meet that I got to see Drew Magaha of Upper Moreland set the all-time state 800m record. That was pretty cool to watch.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
It was definitely at cross country district 12 AAA championships that I, along with my teammates, faced the greatest and deepest competition. Running against Catholic League teams like Cardinal O'Hara, LaSalle, and Archbishop Wood was definitely a challenging, but incredible experience. Nevertheless, our team pulled through to hold our own and place higher at districts than any other Public League team.
Out of all your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Anchoring my school's distance medley relay that would go down as the 2012 Philadelphia Public League season's fastest distance medley relay definitely stands out the most to me. We celebrated well that day and it was a great accomplishment for both myself and my team.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
If I could change anything it would be that I did not start running until my junior year and in retrospect I would have rather run throughout my entire high school tenure than have tweaked around with other sports my freshman and sophomore years. Yet, everything happens for a reason so I'll have to just savor the good memories I made as a runner for the Central Lancers the last two years.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
The most difficult obstacle for me was making time for both my academics and running ventures. However, my teammates and coaches helped me get over that obstacle and for that I thank them very much.
What will you miss the most?
The thing I will miss the most about high school running is the long runs I would go on with my teammates. It is incredible how much a group of individuals can mutually bond and learn from each other through something as simple as going for a run.
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
My advice for younger athletes is to never give up. Anything is possible through determination.
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
My coaches have had such an influence on my performances and goals that I do not know where I would be right now without them. The workouts XC coaches Kosiek and Minton gave us, along with the grueling track practices Coach McCray held put me through more pain at times than I could have ever imagined. However, the values of perserverence and effort that they taught us reminded me that such pain was only temporary, but the pride that would come as a result of it lasts forever.
What are your college plans?
Next year I will be studying Business Marketing at St. John's University in NY. The school does not sponsor a men's varsity team so I will be competing independently year-round in 5K races and open track meets for various running clubs so that I may continue to set PR´s and achieve goals.
Shout-Outs?
-Shout out to my parents for instilling confidence in me and encouraging me always to do my best and not give up. I wouldn't be who I am had it not been for them.
-Shout out to all of my teammates for always having my back and always offering helping me out when I needed it. I made some great memories with those men that I'll never forget; The Tylers, the Jakes, the Kellys, team Henry-Glosy, Jo, Ana, Em, Lucy, Kevin, Meg, Jas, Idrees, and Max.
-Shout out to all of my coaches for always believing in me and always being willing to give advice and give me as many opportunities as they could.
-Shout out to Mr. Barthelmeh for not letting me sign up for JV soccer my freshman year. Had it not been for him I probably would've never started running competitively.
-Shout out to every member of the class of 2012, I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Want to be featured in our PA Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: don@penntrackxc.com and answer the questions above! Congratulations to the class of 2012 on all their hard work and success.