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Miguel Pantojas Relishes Chance to Return to Brooks PR Invitational, Improve Upon Fifth PlacePublished by
Hagerty FL Senior Coming Back To The Meet Where He Ran 1:49.90 In 2022
By Todd Grasley of DyeStat
Miguel Pantojas' senior season was nearly perfect. The Hagerty High standout only lost once, on his future track at the Florida Relays.
Pantojas and University of Southern California signee Nathan Cumberbatch (Shorewood WI) battled down to the wire.
The loss didn't prevent him from winning the Florida state title in the 800 meters a few weeks later, in a season-best time of 1:50.32.
"It was a special moment, most of my family and friends were there supporting me," he explained. "I had been thinking about that race since the previous year when I finished runner-up." WATCH THE FREE LIVE WEBCAST OF THE BROOKS PR INVITATIONAL, JUNE 14 The 2023 edition of the Brooks PR Invitational will bring together a field every bit as loaded as last year's, including Cumberbatch and three of the top five 800 meter athletes this season in Dan Watcke from Illinois (US#2 1:48.59), Tyler Matthews from Arizona (US#3 1:48.72), and Aaron Sahlman of California (US#5 1:49.07), who is entered but possibly still recovering from injury.
Pantojas isn't concerned about what time it will take to win.
"I am not really paying attention to that because the fast time will come," he explained. "It’s just about who can close the fastest and who can keep it up until the line." And he's been preparing for those exact moments. "My training has been consistent and it’s been harder," he said. "My workouts have been way faster and at higher intensities but apart from that I enjoy the easy runs the days I’m not working out." What is he looking forward to most about his upcoming trip to Seattle? "The experience as a whole, being surrounded by great runners and people and getting to race in a fast race." Following the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Pantojas will head to New Balance Nationals Outdoors in Philadelphia for one last 800 meter, before wrapping up his senior season. Then he will begin college in Gainesville, and join the reigning NCAA champion Florida Gators. More news |