One year later, Stanislaus State’s Alvarado is ready to win NCAA title

Abraham Alvarado has not forgotten the “what-if” feelings from a year ago:

What if I had started my kick sooner?

What if I had not gotten boxed in during the first lap?

What if I had trained just a day longer?

“I remember it,” he said, “and now I’m ready to win.”

Alvarado, a junior at Cal State Stanislaus, nearly became the Warriors’ fifth national track and field champion last year. His heroic final lap in the 800 meters, during which he overtook five runners, left him only two strides shy of winner Greg Windle of Ashland.

Alvarado and his coach, Diljeet Taylor, are encouraged by the following: The Stanislaus star was the fastest runner that day in Allendale, Mich.; one year later, he’s the top-ranked athlete in the event going into the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships in Bradenton, Fla.

He’ll compete in the preliminary heat Friday night, a necessary step toward the championship he barely missed. He’s one of 11 Stanislaus athletes at the nationals, and he’s positioned himself for greatness.

His growth as an athlete is a testimonial to hard work and renewed confidence.

Alvarado excelled in track and cross country at Atwater High School. As a senior, he placed fourth in the 800 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters and generated interest from several Valley universities. But no scholarship offers surfaced.

Enter Stanislaus, which specializes in late-blooming talent like Alvarado.

“That’s why I was able to get him,” Taylor said. “He wasn’t even a consistent 1:54 in high school, but you saw the potential. He’s so dedicated now. I never have to wonder if he’s ready.”

By his admission, Alvarado’s commitment to running wavered in high school. He felt he never trained hard enough during the offseason, and trips to visit his family in Mexico interfered with his regimen.

When he was beaten by virtually everyone as a freshman cross country runner at Stanislaus – after inconsistent training over the summer – he realized the changes that needed to be made.

Alvarado was inspired that year by Stanislaus’ Courtney Anderson and Marina Vorderbruegge, who finished 1-2 in the 1,500 national finals. After that, he dedicated himself two-fold.

“That year changed me,” he said. “I saw what the possibilities were for me.”

Shy by nature, Alvarado’s confidence gradually grew. Last year’s breakthrough season has led to even more success.

He exchanged the national lead with Shaquille Dill of St. Augustine all season, then took over the top spot for good with his 1:47.23 at Arizona State’s Sun Angel Classic last month.

The California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships have become a personal showcase. He’s won three straight titles in the 800 and this season tripled in the 800, 1,500 and 4x400 relay. Last week, he was named Stanislaus’ Male Athlete of the Year.

“He’s done a tremendous job this year. Even in races he considered were bad, his times have been very good,” Taylor said. “The success he’s had, he deserves.”

Alvarado has passed up the 1,500 at the nationals to focus on the 800 and the chances for a title.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "One year later, Stanislaus State’s Alvarado is ready to win NCAA title."