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By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor
SEATTLE — Matthew Centrowitz raced on an oval for the first time since August of 2021 on Saturday at the Washington Indoor Preview, though it was little more than a strenuous workout for the 2016 Olympic 1,500 meters champion.
Centrowitz, 33, finished fifth in a high quality 1,000 meters and ran 2:22.68.
That he was back on the track at all, after recovery from miniscus surgery on his knee that eliminated his chance to compete in 2022, was the victory.
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“It felt fast, even though it was only 1,000 meters, it didn’t feel easy at all,” Centrowitz said. “It’s just a lack of racing. It felt like we went out moderate and then there was a big pick-up in the middle and I couldn’t cover it.”
Washington’s Sam Ellis, a transfer from Princeton running unattached, outkicked NCAA 1,500 meters champion Joe Waskom for the win, in 2:18.48. Waskom’s time was 2:18.77.
Centrowitz raced a road mile in December in Hawaii, which was his first return to competition since the fall of 2021.
And he is also recently engaged, with a 2023 wedding planned with girlfriend and physical therapist Lyndsay Provencio.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a chance to compete at the World Championships in his former college town last summer, Centrowitz is looking foward to the final chapters of an illustrious career.
“For me, having the World Championships in my backyard would have been an awesome opportunity, but at the same time what’s great about the sport is there’s always something around the corner,” he said. “So I’m just looking ahead right now.”
He sees 2023 as a year to get back into racing, back in to contention for a U.S. title.
And in 2024, Centrowitz could have an opportunity to make a fourth U.S. Olympic team.
“I’m pretty realistic with my body, my capabilities,” he said. “I want to get back to winnning U.S. Championships and anything globally is just icing on the cake. I’m focusing on one step at a time.
“I’d love to make a team this year, but I know that’s kind of short notice especially given how long of a layoff I had. I think regardless of that it will set me up really well for next year.”
The Washington…
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