Gabe Arreola

Track and field star Gabriel Arreola of Melrose Park has been named Triton College’s May Athlete of the Month – a well-deserved honor.

Arreola earned All-American recognition at the 2026 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Utica, N.Y., this past May. He placed eighth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:02 and was also part of the Trojans 4x800-meter relay team, placing seventh nationally.

“I was really nervous on the flight to New York,” admitted Arreola. “Once I got off the plane, I felt calm. Competing in a national competition is a significant accomplishment.”

In addition to his stellar athletic achievements, Arreola graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, crediting strong time-management skills for his success. His typical day included early morning practices, attending classes, going to work and completing homework—a demanding schedule that taught him how to successfully balance multiple responsibilities effectively.

“Triton College showed me that hard work and sacrifice pay off,” he explained. “Using my time wisely took me to the next level.”

Arreola began his running career as a student at Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA), where he discovered that running made him feel good physically and emotionally. After high school, he wanted to continue his running pursuits. 

“My sister attended Triton and ran track,” he said, as to why he chose Triton. “I really loved competing and I wanted to continue that at Triton.”

Looking ahead, Arreola will attend the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) this fall to study kinesiology, with hopes of becoming a physical therapist. This summer, he will gain hands-on experience by working for a physical therapist in his desired field.

As for running, he plans to continue training and competing, while remaining open to opportunities to earn a running scholarship at UIC or another university.

“Triton showed me that my dreams are possible,” he said.

Learn more about Triton Athletics at tritonathletics.com.