Arredondo to compete for Islanders

McALLEN - McAllen High track & field athlete Delanea Arredondo joked that she will literally be taking college courses on the beach and possibly take a surfing class.

Arredodno made no secret that one of the reasons she choose to compete in track & field with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was its location.

"I heard about the school and I thought it was cool because it's on an island," said Arredondo, who will also compete in cross country for the Islanders. "I get to go school on the beach."

Arredondo signed a letter of intent Thursday at McHi to compete at the NCAA Division-I program next year.

"I am excited," she said. "I get to meet new people."

Arredondo, who competed in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs for the Lady Bulldogs, said she made up her mind that she wanted to go to Corpus about one year ago after hearing a presentation.

Arredondo finished with the third fastest Rio Grande Valley time in the 800 this season, running her best 1/2 mile this season with a time of 2 minutes, 18.81 seconds. That mark was good for a silver medal at the District 30-5A meet held at Sharyland last month, which allowed her to compete at the Region IV meet in San Antonio in late April.

Arredondo said she feels lucky to be able compete athletically while earning a college degree.

"One, it's close to home and two, it's a good school," Arredondo's father, John, said. "I want her to get into the nursing program there. I want her to get her career there, also."

Peter Rasmussen covers high school track & field for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4448.