COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and Maryland track & field alumnus Florent “Flo” Groberg returned to campus last weekend for the Jim Kehoe Twilight Meet. The annual meet serves as an alumni day to honor the program's former athletes, but had a special meaning this year as the first meet Groberg has attended since receiving the prestigious honor.  

“It makes you miss it,” said Groberg on what it was like to be back at his first track meet at Maryland. “You feel like you're coning back home. I spent so many hours, so many days and so much of my life around this facility and around these individuals. So it's one of those grateful moments that you get to come back and reflect on how great it was and how lucky I was to be here and get my education at the University of Maryland.”

Groberg competed for Maryland as a member of the track and field and cross country teams from 2003-to-2006 as a distance specialist. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology and criminal justice.

Captain Groberg is the tenth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor a United States serviceman can receive. On November 12, 2015, Groberg received the Medal of Honor for his heroic action in Afghanistan from President Obama.

On the morning of August 8, 2012, Groberg served as a personal security detachment (PSD) commander for Task Force Mountain Warrior in Kunar, Afghanistan. While on patrol, Groberg noticed a suicide bomber at the rear of his company's formation, and tackled him out of the way as the device detonated. Groberg's actions prevented the bombers from detonating their devices as planned, which could have killed many more on the patrol. 

“It was an honor to have Flo back for our final home meet this season,” said Maryland head track & field coach Andrew Valmon. “The Kehoe Twilight is always a special meet to honor our seniors and alumni, but having Flo here really made for an awesome evening.  He's an inspiration to us and we're proud of all he's accomplished.”

Groberg served as the honorary starter for the alumni mile at Friday's meet, while meeting with Maryland athletics administrators, student athletes, coaches and alumni.

The Bethesda, Md. native has been touring around the country since receiving the honor this past fall, which has included an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, recognition at a Maryland football game, speaking with veterans' groups and throwing out the first pitch this past Sunday at the Chicago Cubs' game.    

-Terps-