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USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships 2013

Centro Wins 1500m, Oregon Project Train Rolling

Centro Wins 1500m, Oregon Project Train Rolling

Jun 22, 2013 by Jimmy Stevenson
Centro Wins 1500m, Oregon Project Train Rolling
Let's put Dathan Ritzenhein's tweet in context.


 
 
He sent it after his Oregon Project teammates, Treniere Moser and Mary Cain went one-two in the women’s 1,500-meter earlier today. Last night, Ritz took second behind another one of his teammates, Galen Rupp, in the men's 10,000-meter run.

On the women’s side of the 10,000-meters, Oregon Project members Tara Erdmann and Jordan Hasay got second and third, respecitvely.

Clearly a train has been rumbling down the tracks, and coach Alberto Salazar is the conductor. Another one of his passengers... Matt Centrowitz.



The smoothness of the ride on the Nike Oregon Project Express is the first thing that would catch your attention. Almost all of Salazar’s athletes have a gait that is silky smooth. Centrowitz (Centro) is arguably the smoothest.

The 1,500-meter final started with him and Russell Brown taking the early lead. At 800m, those two were still at the front coming through 800m at a pedestrian split of 2:09.

At the bell lap, Oregon's Mac Fleet, the 2013 NCAA 1500m champion, swung wide rubbing shoulders with Centro (another former Duck NCAA champion).

With 100m to go it was Centro, Fleet, Lopez Lomong, and Will Leer.

Serene, almost peaceful. The calm Centro surged ahead of anyone trying to grab his soon-to-be U.S. title, including Leo Manzano, silver medalist at the London Olympics. Whether Centro is sprinting down the homestretch or jogging a 63 first lap, his form looks almost identical.

As he passed the finish line, Centro gave two massive fist pumps. Reminiscent of Tiger Woods after a PGA Tour win?

So what about this train; where is it headed now?

Moscow for the IAAF World Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Good thing they have an experienced conductor. Moser says the team's confidence comes from Salazar.



“We believe everything he says," notes Moser after Cain and her take the top two spots in the 1,500-meters.

Centro is definitely motivated by their performance, but also their work ethic.

"We'll do some sprint stuff in workouts and if I don't run fast and am told Mary ran faster earlier, she defintely motivates me to run faster in practice."

Centro adds, "Treniere is just killing it in the weight room! I come into my weight lift sessions and our strength guy will be like, 'Treniere lifted 50 more pounds than you today,' and I'm just like 'Oh great. Losing to Mary there, losing to Treniere here.' as he laughes playfully."

Jokes aside Centro feels better than ever.

“I definitely want to make a statement heading into Worlds. I’m in great shape and I’m definitely looking forward to improving on my bronze medal finish (from 2011 World Champs in Daegu, Korea).

And he is not the only one with that confidence.

"Our team has had one of the best meets it has ever had at the U.S. Championships and that goes to our whole staff . . ." as he lists the names of some people that have helped the team get this far.

Let there be no doubts. The Oregon Project is ready for Worlds.

ALL ABOARD!  Destination Mosow, Russia.

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