Andrews steps up, wins Millrose Mile

It was mid-term exam week at Manalapan High School. But for Robby Andrews, the exams weren't confined to the classroom.

TIM MORRIS Manalapan High School's Robby Andrews speaks after winning the Boys High School Mile at the Millrose Games in New York City on Jan. 30. His time was 4:17.42.

Friday, the Brave senior faced his biggest athletic test in the Boys High School Mile at the prestigious Millrose Games in New York City's Madison Square Garden. At stake were redemption and a place in history.

It was at Millrose last year that Andrews came close to collecting a major national prize, finishing second. He followed that up with a close loss in the High School Mile at the Penn Relays. Again, second place.

When Andrews toed the line with seven other of the nation's best scholastic milers, nothing short of victory would suit. He'd had enough of second place. "I need to step up," he said days before the race.

Step up he would. Calling on his fearsome finishing kick, Andrews unleashed a 57-second final quarter to grab that "major" prize in 4:17.42.

"It [close calls] was worth it," Andrews said at the press conference after his victory. "It's the greatest feeling ever.

"I put in a lot of hard work," he added. "It's so exciting. I haven't had this feeling before."

The race itself was set up perfectly for the University of Virginia-bound runner, who was the fastest finisher in the field.

A modest 65.4 opening quarter was followed by a slow second quarter that took the field through the half-mile in 2:16.2.

"I thought it would be faster," Andrews said of the early pace.

While the slow pace kept everyone in the race, Andrews had learned his lessons from his previous losses. He never strayed from the leaders. He covered all the moves and remained in contention.

With a quarter-mile to go, he was in third place behind Virginia's Tyler Stutzman and his friend and rival Bret Johnson of Ocean City (who also happens to be going to the University of Virginia). It was going to come down to the fastest finisher.

On the homestretch just before the bell, Andrews attacked. Moving from third to first in a split second, he quickly opened a gap between himself and Johnson, who followed his move. Coming off the second turn, the lead was decisive and Andrews was in full flight. He was in the process of exorcising the demons of those close calls. He was letting out all of his pent-up energy.

"A year of built-up frustration came out," Andrews said of his scorching final lap.

Andrews ran into the history books by becoming not only the first Freehold Regional District runner to win the Millrose High School Mile, but also the first boy from the Shore area.

"This is my nationals," Andrews said of the significance he put on the victory.

The significance of Andrews' win was not lost on one Bob Andrews, or, as Rob refers to him "Big Bob."

Rob's father, Bob Andrews, ran in the Millrose Games in college (University of Pennsylvania) and with the Shore Athletic Club. He knows how important the meet is. He also lived in Staten Island before moving with his family to Manalapan. He still teaches on the island and has coached there (he's now a volunteer at Manalapan). To a New Yorker, Millrose is special.

"To win this is absolutely fabulous," he pointed out.

It was a big night for the Shore Conference as Southern Regional's Jillian Smith won her second straight Girls High School Mile (5:51.88). With her former teammate Danielle Tauro having also won back-to-back Millrose Miles, Southern Regional's girls have had a four-year stranglehold on the scholastic championship.