DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - ERAU Alumnus Sam Vazquez ('11) will be competing in the 2012 London Olympics, the first Eagle alumnus to compete in the Olympic games. The track and field standout will make his Olympic debut in the men's 1500-meter run, representing his grandparents' native Puerto Rico.
 
Vazquez qualified for the event when he posted a 3:37.60 at the American Miler's Series in Indianapolis on June 16, 2012. In order to qualify for team Puerto Rico, he needed to post a 3:38 or better, the Olympics “B” standard.
 
Vazquez will run in the first round of the 1500m at 3:05 p.m. EDT on Aug. 3, followed by semifinals at 3:15 p.m. EDT on Aug. 5. The finals are scheduled for 4:15 p.m. EDT on Aug. 7.
 
Vazquez' three-year career with the Eagles reached its pinnacle in 2011 when the Flagler Palm Coast product was crowned the national champion in the 1000m run at the 2011 NAIA Indoor National Championships. Vazquez not only holds seven Embry-Riddle track records, including a 3:47.14 in the 1500m, he also has the second fastest 10K time in ERAU cross-country history.
 
Vazquez finished his Eagles' career as a seven-time NAIA All-American in track and cross-country as well as earning NAIA Track and Field National runner of the Week recognition in March 2011.
 
Since graduation Vazquez' international career has included competition at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where he placed fourth in the 1500m. He also finished three seconds off the winning pace of 3:53.44 at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, placing ninth in the 1500m race with a time of 3:56.65.
 
Vazquez hopes his run to the Olympics is just the beginning of his career. During his journey toward Olympic glory, Vazquez hopes to gain sponsors that will allow him to continue running well after his Olympic appearance.
 
Fans can watch Vazquez' Olympic run on NBC Olympics Live Extra. Live Extra is a video experience featuring live streams of every sport on the London Olympic program, including Swimming, Gymnastics, Track & Field, Basketball and more. It is available exclusively online at NBCOlympics.com/liveextra and via the NBC Olympics “Live Extra” mobile/tablet App. To access Live Extra content, fans will need to verify that they subscribe to a cable, satellite or telco video tier that includes CNBC and MSNBC (there is no additional charge).