Nike Oregon Project runner Matthew Centrowitz Jr. grew up on the East Coast and calls New York City a second home. It was only fitting that he grew up rooting for the New York Yankees alongside his father, who lived in the Bronx and briefly ran at Manhattan College. 

For the World Championship silver medalist, Derek Jeter has always been a role model.

“I was 10 years old the first time I watched Derek Jeter play. It was at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD,” Centrowitz told Flotrack. “Being born and raised in Maryland, I should be an O's fan, right? Wrong. I told my father right away, ‘Dad I want to be a Yankees fan.’”

An Olympian and fellow Nike athlete, Centrowitz has never crossed paths with Jeter. 

“He’s definitely one of the top three athletes I'd love to meet,” Centrowitz said. “I probably wouldn't even ask him a question about baseball or sports, but about his track record with girls. That’s more impressive than his career if you ask me.”

While track and field may not have the glamour of walk-off home-runs or perfect games, Centrowitz believes coming through in high pressure situations is something he tries to emulate from Jeter. 

“Jeter is clutch. It’s as simple as that. He comes up big when the Yankees need him to the most. I would like to bring that to track & field,” Centrowitz said. “You aren't always going to hit HR's at every bat and you aren't always going to win or run a PR every race. If you can perform your best when you’re need to the most, thats when you become great.”

Centrowitz has come up clutch situations with national titles over 1,500-meters in 2012 and 2013. He does welcome Jeter for a mile time trial, if he’s ever in Portland. 

“His running form tells me his mile would not be fast,” Centrowitz said. “But he is a great athlete, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Captain could run sub-five for a mile. If he does run one, I would love to pace.”

Chris Chavez is a writer at Flotrack. Feel free to to reach him with any questions, comments, or feedback on Twitter or by email.