OLD - Home

Track and Field’s Nero Nuez Commits to the U.S. Naval Academy

4/22/2025

Brophy senior Nero Nuez has committed to the United States Naval Academy and will participate on the track and field team.

“It is exciting to be able to chase my dreams,” said Nuez. “Track was not the original goal (golf), but I am excited to see where it has taken me. It has allowed me to prove myself worthy on a bigger stage at the next level, which is a great opportunity.”

Nuez had a season-best of 14.74 in the 110m hurdles at the Chandler Rotary Invitational to rank sixth overall in the state. He has won two individual 110m hurdles races at the Fr. “Dutch” Olivier and Becky Matthews Invitationals.

“Nero has made an incredible amount of improvement in his 4 years of Brophy Track,” said Head Coach Bill Kalkman. “He's gone from a 12.5-second 100m to 11.15, and from a 45-second 300 hurdle race to 40 seconds. And most impressively, he began racing the 110 high hurdles in his junior year and qualified for the 100 high hurdles finals in both the Division 1 and State championships that same year. These numbers are difficult to understand if you don't follow track and field, but they make it clear that Nero has put together top performances as a result of his dedication and hard work in his track events. It's easy to say a young man put in the work, but Nero was dedicated to the work that he put in, and he has excellent results to show for it.”

Nuez also partnered with Will DeSpong, Darius Alberty, and Max Columbus to win the Shuttle Hurdle Relay at the Arcadia Invitational in the third-fastest time in meet history.

“It has been quite a journey,” said Nuez. “Hurdling was not my plan. I thought I would be a short sprinter. Realizing I was not the most competitive in the flat sprints, I had to put myself out there and do something uncomfortable for me. I am glad to see how it turned out. The dedication I had in the summer put me in a better place this year.”

Nuez continues the Nuez family tradition at the school, following his golfing brother Noah ‘21, who will graduate this spring. He will also be part of an incoming class with teammate DeSpong.

“It will be easier to go in with someone you know and compete on the same team,” said Nuez. “There will be a level of shock at the Naval Academy, but it's good to have someone you can talk to and trust.”

While Nuez excels in track and field, he is often behind the camera, pursuing his other passion: photography. He created the @neroflicks Instagram account to display his work.

“It has been great to make connections with both athletes and parents, and the greater community of Brophy,” said Nuez. “I had several outside jobs with local schools. It has also got me out of my comfort zone, and photography has helped me interact with other people.”

Nuez will be recognized with the Distinguished Student Award this semester. His work tutoring with the Loyola program and serving his Ignatian program with them during his junior year was among his influential Brophy activities both on the kids and Nuez.

“It is great to see them having fun with their after-school opportunities,” said Nuez.

Now, he has sights set on the finish line, figuratively and literally. He hopes to keep pushing his teammates and finishing in the top three at state.

He will participate in the Brophy Signing Day event on Wednesday, April 23.