UO runner Centrowitz decides to turn professional

UO runner Centrowitz decides to turn professional

Oregon distance runner Matthew Centrowitz has decided to forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility to run professionally.

The 2011 world bronze medalist in the 1,500 meters has signed with PACE Sports Management, a United Kingdom-based athlete management company.

The PACE track and field roster includes Olympic champion Usain Bolt, and world champions Vivian Cheruiyot, Mo Farah, Linet Masai, Phillips Idowu, Christine Ohuruogu and Jana Pittman.

Centrowitz will turn his focus to the 2012 Olympic trials and the London Olympics. The trials will be held June 22 to July 1, 2012, at Hayward Field in Eugene. The Olympics start July 27.

"I am very grateful to the University of Oregon and the coaching staff for all they have done for me," Centrowitz said. "This important decision has taken me a couple of months to decide on but (is) a decision I feel that is best for me in reaching my upcoming goals."

This past season, Centrowitz won NCAA and U.S. championships at 1,500 meters. He holds the school record in the event at 3:34.46.

Centrowitz was a three time Pac-10 champion in the 1,500 and was a seven-time all-American.

"Matthew has had an enormous impact on the University of Oregon track program," Ducks coach Vin Lananna said. "Oregon has a great tradition in distance running and we are proud of his accomplishments in adding to that tradition.

"We wish him nothing but the best and we are excited for his future as a professional."

Centrowitz will stay at Oregon to complete his sociology degree. Although it's not as common for a track and field athlete to turn pro early as it is in football or basketball, it is not unprecedented.

It is more common for sprinters. Allyson Felix never ran in college despite enrolling at USC. Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon both left early from Arkansas and Jeremy Wariner did the same at Baylor.

Former McKay standout Ryan Bailey ran one season at Rend Lake (Ill.) Community College before turning pro. Alan Webb and Evan Jager are examples of distance runners who who left college early.

Webb ran one year at Michigan before turning pro, while Jager left Wisconsin after one year.