Arop is coming off a freshman season that saw him break MSU's freshman 800m record, shatter the school's 4x800m relay record and fall just short of an NCAA title.
Know Your Bulldog: Marco Arop
November 01, 2018 | Track & Field, HailStateBEAT
by McRae Clay, Student Assistant/Communications
The following feature story can be found in the Oct. 27 Mississippi State Football Game Program.
Mississippi State track and field student-athlete Marco Arop has come a long way in a short amount of time, both competitively and geographically. The sophomore middle distance runner was born in Sudan, but spent the majority of his childhood in Edmonton, Alberta.
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Just before starting third grade, Arop competed in his first race at a local running club. He enjoyed running but was also involved with a lot of other sports and activities. In the eighth grade, he stopped running and focus on basketball.
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Fast forward to his senior year of high school, basketball season had ended and Arop needed something to fill his time. That's when competitive track entered his life.
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"I like to say that I am still learning," Arop said. "When I say that, it means there is still room to improve. If I could keep learning more, that would be great."
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Despite limited experience in the competitive circuit, Arop has already had some incredible opportunities to travel the world thanks to the sport. He named Peru, where he competed at the Pan American Junior Championships, the coolest place running has taken him. Track has taken Arop all over the world but he has found a home in Starkville.
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"I expected the Southerners to be very nice," Arop said. "It was a nice transition from Canada to Mississippi. We are a really tight group around [the track program]."
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The close comradery on the team and family atmosphere made the transition very smooth for Arop. Family has always been important to him.
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Growing up with five brothers, Arop didn't have any choice but to be competitive.
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"My brothers have influenced me becoming the man I am," said Arop. "Things I have learned from them transition into my running and into everything I do."
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He has sacrificed a lot by moving to Starkville, but the opportunity to run in the maroon and white, and with "Mississippi State" across his chest, isn't lost on Arop.
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"Running at a school that has not won a national championship is a very special feeling. We have the opportunity to represent a dream. Being a Bulldog is something I am very proud of."
Since arriving in Starkville in Jauary, Arop's hard work has quickly led to success on the track. He broke the MSU freshman record in the 800mand is a part of the school-record breaking 4x800m relay team that claimed the Championship of America at the historic Penn Relays.
However, the NCAA runner-up in the 800m isn't resting on that success, as he has high expectations for the upcoming season.
"I'm expecting nothing less than a national championship," said Arop. "We have all the pieces that we need [on our team]. If everyone believes, we can win [a national title] and I think it is a really good possibility."
The following feature story can be found in the Oct. 27 Mississippi State Football Game Program.
Mississippi State track and field student-athlete Marco Arop has come a long way in a short amount of time, both competitively and geographically. The sophomore middle distance runner was born in Sudan, but spent the majority of his childhood in Edmonton, Alberta.
Â
Just before starting third grade, Arop competed in his first race at a local running club. He enjoyed running but was also involved with a lot of other sports and activities. In the eighth grade, he stopped running and focus on basketball.
Â
Fast forward to his senior year of high school, basketball season had ended and Arop needed something to fill his time. That's when competitive track entered his life.
Â
"I like to say that I am still learning," Arop said. "When I say that, it means there is still room to improve. If I could keep learning more, that would be great."
Â
Despite limited experience in the competitive circuit, Arop has already had some incredible opportunities to travel the world thanks to the sport. He named Peru, where he competed at the Pan American Junior Championships, the coolest place running has taken him. Track has taken Arop all over the world but he has found a home in Starkville.
Â
"I expected the Southerners to be very nice," Arop said. "It was a nice transition from Canada to Mississippi. We are a really tight group around [the track program]."
Â
The close comradery on the team and family atmosphere made the transition very smooth for Arop. Family has always been important to him.
Â
Growing up with five brothers, Arop didn't have any choice but to be competitive.
Â
"My brothers have influenced me becoming the man I am," said Arop. "Things I have learned from them transition into my running and into everything I do."
Â
He has sacrificed a lot by moving to Starkville, but the opportunity to run in the maroon and white, and with "Mississippi State" across his chest, isn't lost on Arop.
Â
"Running at a school that has not won a national championship is a very special feeling. We have the opportunity to represent a dream. Being a Bulldog is something I am very proud of."
Since arriving in Starkville in Jauary, Arop's hard work has quickly led to success on the track. He broke the MSU freshman record in the 800mand is a part of the school-record breaking 4x800m relay team that claimed the Championship of America at the historic Penn Relays.
However, the NCAA runner-up in the 800m isn't resting on that success, as he has high expectations for the upcoming season.
"I'm expecting nothing less than a national championship," said Arop. "We have all the pieces that we need [on our team]. If everyone believes, we can win [a national title] and I think it is a really good possibility."
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