Robert Adrian Andrews (born March 29, 1991) is an American
middle distance runner who specializes in the
800 and
1500 meters. While competing with
University of Virginia he won the men's 800 meters at the 2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Andrews competed in the 2010
NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships his freshman year, placing second in the 800 m event to
Andrew Wheating of Oregon. His more recent achievements include winning the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship 800-meter race in the second fastest time ever run for an NCAA 800 Championship race, recording a personal best time of 1:44.71 to come from the back of the field and narrowly beat
Charles Jock of UC Irvine (1:44.75). Other notable achievements included winning the 800 meters at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships, beating out
Andrew Wheating on the line.
Professional
Andrews left University of Virginia in 2012, his junior year, and signed a professional contract with
Adidas through 2017.[7] In 2013, he joined the New York New Jersey Track Club and coach Frank Gagliano while keeping Adidas sponsorship.[8] However, after a period of time he decided to leave the New York New Jersey Track Club, favoring a return to his UVA coach Jason Vigilante.[7] He qualified at the
2016 Olympic Trials by kicking into the second qualifying position. Later that year he participated in the
2016 Olympic Games where he was disqualified in the semi-final round for stepping inside of the curb while executing his kick.[9] In the 1500 meters final at the
2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, he outkicked Olympic gold medalist
Matthew Centrowitz Jr. to take first place with a time of 3:43.29, capturing his first-ever national championship.
^Morris, Tim.
"Olympian Andrews proud to represent Manalapan in Rio", Atlanticville, July 26, 2016. Accessed August 9, 2016. "Hundreds of Manalapan residents turned out to march in the parade that started at the Dreyer track at the recreation center and went to the high school track, where Andrews helped cut the ribbon and signed autographs. 'It's truly amazing,' he said of the parade and Manalapan’s response to his achievement. 'I’ve lived my whole life in Manalapan and for them to do this is a great honor.'"
^Lambert, Jim.
"N.J.'s Robby Andrews uses big heart and big kick to make U.S. World Championship Team", NJ Advance Media for
NJ.com, August 14, 2015. Accessed August 9, 2016. "Everything seemed to be falling into place perfectly for Robby Andrews. After finishing a legendary career at New Jersey's Manalapan High School in 2009 with two national indoor records (1,000 and 800), two national 800 titles, and a meet record victory in the 800 at the outdoor Meet of Champions in his pocket, Andrews went on to set the track on fire at the University of Virginia."
^Shepard, Jack (2009). High School Track 2010. Jack Shepard.