The reward for a year's worth of hard work for Bronson Duran Jr. was a taste of Italy in the summer.

But this isn't a sight-seeing tour for the senior-to-be at Albuquerque Sandia Preparatory.

Duran, the son of St. Michael's graduates Margaret and Bronson Duran Sr., is representing the United States at the World Youth Track and Field Championships in Sudtirol, Italy, which started Wednesday.

Duran, the reigning Class AAA champion in the 400 and 800 meters, is the lone American left in the 800 after the first round of preliminaries. He was among 24 runners who advanced to today's semifinal heats, which are set for 7:25 a.m. MDT.

A time of 1 minute, 54.57 seconds was good for second in the fifth of eight heats. The top two in each heat plus the eight fastest non-qualifying times advanced to the next round.

Duran made the U.S. team by finishing second at the World Youth Track and Field Trials last week in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Duran was unavailable for comment, but Sandia Prep assistant track and field coach Stacey Price, who traveled with Duran to Italy, said he ran a smart race considering he might run the event twice more in the next three days.

"The plan is to try to conserve as much energy when you can within each particular round," Price said. "When you get to the finals, the energy stored will be as high as one can have at that point."

Duran has channeled much of his energy into track and field. A three-sport athlete as a sophomore, Duran dropped basketball in favor of soccer and track. It was the signal Sun Devils head track and field coach Janelle Johnson wanted to see.

"What I was looking for from him was to make running a passion for himself," Johnson said. "When you're talented in so many ways, you have to decide, 'What are my passions?' I would say he has developed a much stronger sense of himself. "

Duran was the top AAA runner in the 400 and 800 heading into the Class AAA track and field championships. His time of 1:52.61 in the Metro Championships on May 1 earned him a spot in the World Youth trials.

Two weeks later, his wins in the 400 and 800 — plus anchoring the championship medley relay team — helped Sandia Prep to a state runner-up finish.

Duran began the summer by helping New Mexico win the 3,200 relay in the Great Southwest Track and Field Classic, which then propelled him to the World Youth trials.

It took a perfectly timed lean to beat Kentucky's Robbie Scharold in the 800 finals to earn a spot with the U.S.

Price sees a runner brimming with confidence.

"Bronson is prepared for whatever happens (today)," Price said. "Mentally and physically, he is prepared to give his best and represent his country in a magnificent way."