Andrew Farkas had a break out sophomore year capturing bronze at the Big West Championships in the 3000m Steeplechase. After redshirting 2014, Farkas went on a training tear, inspiring his teammates to win the 2014 Big West Cross team title. Personally, Farkas cashed in on those miles, taking the Big West 800m bronze in 2015, running a personal best 1:50.87 in the conference final.
2014-2015 Track
Placed sixth at the All UC in the 1500m, running 3:55.53. After opening the season at the Round Up with an 800m 1:58.55, Farkas had a hunch he was ready for something big in the event. He was right. At the Big West Double Dual he placed second in the 800m with a big 1:52.30 then personal best. He answered back at the Westmont Collegiate Classic, running 1:52.51. He then stepped back up to the 1500m, running a 3:52.74 personal best at the UCR Spring Track Classic. He came back to the 800m at the San Franscisco St. Distance Carnival, lowering his time to 1:52.28. The stage was set at the Big West Challenge Cup and under the Fullerton Friday night lights, Farkas took his first collegiate win in the 800m with a strong finishing kick in 1:51.68. Ran 1:52.28 at the Bryan Clay Invite before dropping a 1:52.06 clip at the Cal Poly Dual. Broke 1:51 for the first time at the Oxy Invite, breaking the tape in 1:50.96. Going into the Big West Championships Farkas was on a roll and he carried that momentum right into the Big West final, placing third with a lifetime best 800m performance of 1:50.87.
2014 Cross Country
Farkas inspired his teammates after putting together a strong block of summer training. His attention to the details of the sport became a rallying cry for the Gaucho men as they would go onto to capture the Big West Cross Country title with a school record low 21 pts. Farkas opened his season running No. 5 for the Gauchos at the Lagoon Meet, placing 6th overall in 25:20.60. Overcame an early season injury as he bounced back at Santa Clara. Running in the No. 2 spot, Farkas clipped 24:30.6 to place 48th overall. Ran No. 8 for the Gauchos at the Big West Championships, finishing in 26th overall with a time of 25:00.8.
Summing up the lead-up to the Big West Championships, several of his teammates pointed to Farkas as an important catalyst for the work leading up to the title. Farkas simply said,
"It was a complete build."
2013-2014 Track
Redshirt season.
2013 Cross Country
Ran in four races for the Gauchos, placing 28th at the Big West Championships. Ran an 8k personal best at the Sac State Inter-Regional Jamboree in 24:13.1, placing 20th overall, running in the No. 3 slot for the Gauchos.
2012-2013 Track
Competed in the 3,000m steeplechase 5 times, winning two meets. Set his personal best at the Big West Championships racing to a third place finish at 9:14.67, a 27 second PR from his freshman year. Opened the year at the Gaucho Round Up with a 4:12.52 mile PR. Won his first collegiate race with a steeple win in the second meet of the year- the All-Cal Challenge Cup. Claimed his second collegiate win at the Big West Challenge, again in the steeple. Established a 1500m PR at the Cal State LA Invitational at 3:53.53.
2012 Cross Country
Took 106th at the STanford Invitational turning in an 8k time of 26:15.3. Placed fifth at the CSUN Collegiate Invite with an 8k performance of 25:47.1.
2011-2012 Track
In his first season, Farkas competed in 6 meets where he ran the 1,500m, 1 mile, 5k,and 3,000m Steeplechase. Took 3rd in the Gaucho Round Up in the mile. Ran a season best 9:41.09 in the 3,000m steeplechase at the All-Cal Challenge.
Prep
Farkas was the La Jolla High School three time Top Ten record holder...Helped set La Jolla High School DMR record....Won the San Diego Section prelims in the 1600m with his prep best of 4:16.37. Set his prep 800m PR in a dual meet against Scripps Ranch at 1:55.38. Also ran on the 4 x 400m relay.
Personal
Majoring in Pre-Psych...Son of Terry Peters and Alex Farkas...Has one brother Daniel...Made Union Tribune all-academic team all four years in high school...Made the first all-academic team for a cross country athlete...Chose UCSB because of the coaching and because he knows he can reach his full potential here...Enjoys playing bocce ball, football, and volleyball in his free time...Strongly believes in karma...Favorite movie is "Anchorman", Favorite artists are J. Cole and Drake...Favorite athletes are David Rudisha, Troy Polamalu, and former UCSB teammate Andrew Pilavjian.
Collegiate Bests
800m- 1:50.87 (2015 Big West Championships, Bronze Medal performance)
1,500m- 3:52.74 ( 2015 UC Riverside Spring Track Classic)
1 mile- 4:12.52 (2013 Gaucho Round Up)
5k- 15:30.88 (2015 Big West Championships)
3000m Steeple- 9:14.67 (2013 Big West Championships)
Big West Championships
2015- 800m, 3rd, 1:50.87
2015- 5k, 30th, 15:30.88
2013- 800m, 12th, 2:01.48
2013- 3000m Steeplechase, 3rd, 9:14.67
Big West Cross Country
2014- 8k, 26th, 25:00.8
2013- 8k, 28th, 26:59.7
