"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."

Even so, Pantojas admits it wasn't the time he wanted. He will have a chance to lower his best time, and get back under 1:50, on Wednesday when he competes at the Brooks PR Invitational for the second consecutive year.

WATCH THE FREE LIVE WEBCAST OF THE BROOKS PR INVITATIONAL, JUNE 14

"I first learned that I was invited after New Balance Nationals Indoor when I got a DM from Sound Running inviting me to the race," he explained. "I am honored to be invited again since it's an invitation-only race and they only pick like eight people for each event out of the country."

Last year, Pantojas finished fifth in the field with a PR of 1:49.90, it's a race he considers one of the best in his high school career, and one that taught him several lessons.

"That experience helped me a lot since it was my first time running against such a stacked field," he said. "It helps a lot now that I know what to expect and what it will take to win."