Aroa Carballo – Biography

Aroa Carballo is an Andorran track and field athlete who represents the Principality of Andorra in international competition while competing collegiately for Central Methodist University in the United States. Specializing in the 400-meter hurdles and serving as a key contributor to relay teams, Carballo has achieved national champion status in Andorra while earning All-American honors at the collegiate level, bridging two continents in her pursuit of athletic excellence.

Athletic Career & Accomplishments

Primary Events

Hurdles:

• 400-meter hurdles (primary specialty)
• 60-meter hurdles (indoor)

Sprint Events:

• 400 meters
• 200 meters
• 100 meters

Jumping Events:

• Long jump
• High jump

Relay Events:

• 4×400-meter relay
• 4×100-meter relay
• Mixed 4×400-meter relay

Personal Bests & Records

Individual Events:

• 400-meter hurdles: 1:02.48 (May 21, 2025, Marion, Indiana, USA)
• 400 meters: Personal record achieved through collegiate competition
• 200 meters: Competitive performances at collegiate level

Relay Events & National Records:

• 4×100-meter relay: 47.52 seconds – Andorran National Record (NR) (May 31, 2025, Andorra la Vella)
• 4×400-meter relay: 3:40.58 (May 31, 2025, Andorra la Vella)
• 4×400-meter relay (indoor): 3:48.97 (February 27, 2025, Gainesville, Florida, USA)
• Mixed 4×400-meter relay: 3:32.07 (June 25, 2025)

World Rankings

As of 2025, Aroa Carballo is ranked #852 in the world in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, demonstrating her competitiveness at the international level.

National Championships & Honors

Andorran National Champion: Carballo is a two-time national champion for Andorra, earning titles that establish her as one of the nation’s premier track and field athletes.

National Record Holder: As part of the Andorran women’s 4×100-meter relay team, Carballo helped set the national record of 47.52 seconds on May 31, 2025, at Estadi Comunal in Andorra la Vella.

Collegiate Career – Central Methodist University

Institution & Team

University: Aroa Carballo attends Central Methodist University (CMU) in Fayette, Missouri, competing for the CMU Eagles track and field program.

Competition Level: CMU competes at the NAIA Division I level as a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) represents an important competitive level in American collegiate athletics, providing international student-athletes like Carballo opportunities to pursue both education and elite athletics.

2025 NAIA National Championships – All-American Honors

National Runner-Up & All-American Status: At the 2025 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships held at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, Carballo achieved the pinnacle of her collegiate career to date.

4×400-Meter Relay – Second Place (National Runner-Up):

• Team: Diane Ondobo, Joana Vakasobuduru, Aroa Carballo, and Allena Rowland
• Preliminary Time: 3:49.40 (qualified for finals)
• Finals Time: 3:48.73 (improved performance in finals)
• Finish: 2nd place nationally
• Honor: All-America status

This runner-up finish represents one of the highest achievements in NAIA track and field, as the top eight finishers in each event earn All-American recognition. Carballo’s contribution to the relay helped CMU score significant points at the national championships.

400-Meter Hurdles Performance: At the same national championships, Carballo competed in her specialty event:

• Preliminary Time: 1:02.48
• Result: Just missed finals qualification
• Significance: Competed against the nation’s best collegiate 400m hurdlers

Team Performance: Central Methodist University finished in a tie for 22nd place overall with 13 points, with the women’s program earning five All-American honors total at the championships.

2025 Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships

Conference Championship Success: At the 2025 Heart Indoor Conference Championships, Carballo was a key contributor to CMU’s third conference title in four years (2022, 2023, and 2025).

4×400-Meter Relay – Conference Champion:

• Team: Dayana Montenegro, Allena Rowland, Aroa Carballo, and Joana Vakasobuduru
• Time: 3:51.32 (conference championship record)
• Achievement: Met the NAIA ‘A’ standard for national championship qualification
• Significance: Helped secure the overall team championship

This relay victory was part of a dominant team performance that saw CMU crown themselves conference champions with contributions across multiple events.

Season Highlights & Contributions

Consistent Competitor: Throughout the 2024-25 season, Carballo competed in multiple events for the Eagles, demonstrating versatility and team-first mentality:

• Primary focus on 400m hurdles
• Contributor to championship relay teams
• Competed in both indoor and outdoor seasons
• Traveled extensively for competitions across the United States

Training & Competition Schedule: As a collegiate athlete, Carballo balanced:

• Daily training sessions with the CMU track and field team
• Academic coursework and responsibilities
• Travel to competitions throughout the Midwest and nationally
• International competition commitments representing Andorra

Representing Andorra

International Competition

Small Nation Pride: As an athlete from Andorra, one of Europe’s smallest countries (population approximately 80,000), Carballo serves as an important ambassador for Andorran athletics on the international stage.

Competition Venues: Carballo has represented Andorra at Estadi Comunal in Andorra la Vella, the nation’s primary athletics facility, competing in national championships and international meets.

National Team Contributions: Beyond individual events, Carballo’s participation in relay teams helps develop Andorran team competitiveness in events where small nations can pool their talent for maximum impact.

Balancing International & Collegiate Commitments

Dual Representation: Carballo successfully manages the unique challenge of:

• Competing for Central Methodist University during the American collegiate season (indoor season: December-March; outdoor season: March-June)
• Representing Andorra in international competitions and national championships
• Traveling between the United States and Andorra to fulfill both commitments
• Maintaining peak performance across different competitive seasons

This dual commitment demonstrates exceptional time management, dedication, and the ability to peak for important competitions on multiple continents.

Education at Central Methodist University

Academic Pursuit

Institution: Central Methodist University, located in Fayette, Missouri (USA), is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1854, CMU offers a personalized educational experience emphasizing individual growth, leadership development, and preparation for meaningful careers.

Student-Athlete Experience: As an international student-athlete, Carballo experiences:

• American higher education while pursuing her degree
• Integration into campus life at a small university (enrollment around 1,100 students)
• Support from athletic academic advisors ensuring academic progress
• Cultural exchange with American and international classmates
• Development of English language proficiency in an academic setting

Balance of Athletics and Academics: The demands of NAIA Division I athletics require student-athletes to maintain academic eligibility standards while competing at a high level. Carballo’s success in both arenas demonstrates her commitment to the complete student-athlete experience.

Life in Fayette, Missouri

College Town Experience: Fayette, Missouri (population approximately 2,700) provides a small-town American college experience significantly different from life in Andorra. This immersion in American culture and rural Missouri life represents a significant part of Carballo’s personal development.

Campus Community: At CMU, the Eagles athletic programs are a central part of campus life, creating a tight-knit community where student-athletes are well-known and supported by their peers, faculty, and the local community.

Athletic Development & Versatility

Multi-Event Capability

Carballo’s profile shows competition across a remarkable range of events:

• Hurdles: 60m (indoor), 400m (primary)
• Sprints: 100m, 200m, 400m
• Jumps: Long jump, high jump
• Relays: Multiple configurations

This versatility indicates:

• Strong foundational athletic ability across multiple disciplines
• Willingness to contribute to team success in various events
• Comprehensive training approach developing multiple skill sets
• Adaptability to meet team needs at different competitions

The 400-Meter Hurdles Specialty

The 400-meter hurdles is one of track and field’s most demanding events, requiring:

• Speed endurance: Maintaining pace through oxygen debt
• Technical precision: Clearing ten 30-inch hurdles with consistent form
• Stride pattern management: Adjusting steps between hurdles throughout the race
• Mental toughness: Executing under extreme fatigue
• Strategic racing: Knowing when to push and how to distribute effort

Carballo’s focus on this event demonstrates her commitment to mastering one of the sport’s most challenging disciplines.

Andorra’s Athletic Context

Small Nation, Big Dreams

Andorra Background: The Principality of Andorra is a microstate in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, with a population of approximately 80,000 people. Despite its small size, Andorra maintains a national athletics program and competes in international competitions.

Athletic Representation: For athletes from small nations like Andorra:

• Each competitor carries significant responsibility as a national representative
• Opportunities to compete at major championships are precious
• Athletic success brings outsized attention and pride to the nation
• Athletes often train abroad to access better facilities and competition

Federació Andorrana d’Atletisme: Andorra’s national athletics federation oversees the sport in the country, organizing national championships and coordinating international participation.

Pathway Through American Collegiate Athletics

Many athletes from small nations pursue the American collegiate athletics route because it offers:

• High-quality coaching and training facilities
• Regular high-level competition
• Educational opportunities at accredited universities
• Athletic scholarships and financial support
• Exposure to diverse competition and training methods
• Preparation for international championships

Carballo’s path through Central Methodist University represents this strategic approach to athletic development.

Character & Dedication

Team-First Mentality

Carballo’s success in relay events demonstrates:

• Selflessness: Willingness to run for the team, not just individual glory
• Reliability: Teammates can depend on her to execute under pressure
• Chemistry: Ability to work seamlessly with relay partners
• Consistency: Delivering quality performances in team contexts

Work Ethic & Commitment

Success at both the NAIA national level and international competition requires:

• Dedication to daily training regardless of circumstances
• Sacrifice of typical college social experiences for athletic goals
• Mental toughness to compete through difficulty and setbacks
• Time management balancing academics, athletics, and personal life
• Physical resilience to handle the demands of training and competition

International Experience

Competing between continents demonstrates:

• Adaptability to different competitive environments
• Ability to handle travel stress and time zone changes
• Mental strength to perform away from home support systems
• Maturity to manage complex schedules and commitments

Looking Forward

As Aroa Carballo continues her collegiate career and international representation, she remains focused on:

• Improving her 400m hurdles performances toward sub-1:00 territory
• Continuing to contribute to relay success for both CMU and Andorra
• Pursuing additional All-American honors at NAIA championships
• Representing Andorra at international competitions
• Completing her university education at Central Methodist University
• Potentially competing at major championships for Andorra

Her personal best of 1:02.48 in the 400m hurdles places her within striking distance of significant improvements, and her relay contributions demonstrate versatility valuable to both her collegiate and national teams.

Potential Major Championship Aspirations

As Carballo continues developing, potential future goals might include:

• European Athletics Championships (representing Andorra)
• World Athletics Championships (qualification permitting)
• Games of the Small States of Europe (important competition for Andorran athletes)
• Mediterranean Games (regional competition)

Legacy & Impact

Ambassador for Andorran Athletics

Aroa Carballo represents hope and possibility for young athletes in Andorra, demonstrating that:

• Athletes from small nations can compete successfully internationally
• The American collegiate system provides viable pathways for development
• With dedication and opportunity, national records can be set and broken
• Small nations deserve representation in international athletics

Success at Central Methodist University

For CMU, Carballo exemplifies:

• The value of international student-athletes to collegiate programs
• Success of NAIA athletics in developing world-class talent
• The importance of relay events in building team success
• How smaller programs can compete nationally through smart recruiting

Continuing Development

As a young athlete still early in her career, Carballo’s story continues to unfold. Her achievements—All-American honors, national championships, national records—represent the foundation of what could be a long and successful career in athletics.

From the small mountainous nation of Andorra to the plains of Missouri and tracks across America, Aroa Carballo chases excellence in one of track and field’s most demanding events while proudly carrying her nation’s flag on the international stage.

Aroa Carballo’s journey exemplifies the global nature of modern track and field, where talent development crosses borders, small nations punch above their weight, and dedicated athletes pursue excellence through whatever pathways become available—proving that with commitment, opportunity, and support, athletes from anywhere can compete at the highest levels.

Go Aroa!