Centrowitz did not make the varsity team in his freshman year but found joy in the sport. He emphasised the importance of having fun to avoid burnout. His athletic potential became evident when he received a sports scholarship at the University of Oregon.

Professional Career

Centrowitz turned professional in November 2011, foregoing his last year of NCAA eligibility. He believed he had achieved all he wanted at the University of Oregon and decided it was the best time to go pro.

Achievements and Milestones

In 2016, Centrowitz won the Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year award from USA Track & Field. He was also a seven-time All-American while competing for the University of Oregon. In 2009, he was named Track and Field Newcomer of the Year in the Pac-12 conference.

Centrowitz made history by becoming the first US athlete to win an Olympic 1500m title in 108 years at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. He also became the first US male athlete to win a 1500m world indoor championship title in 2016 in Portland, OR.

Injuries and Challenges

Throughout his career, Centrowitz faced several injuries. In 2019, he dealt with hamstring and shin problems during the US indoor season. In 2017, he suffered a tear to his right adductor but still won silver at the US national outdoor championships after receiving a plasma injection.

He missed the 2016 Prefontaine Classic due to a stress reaction in his leg and most of the 2014 US indoor season because of pericarditis. Despite these setbacks, he returned strong for subsequent seasons.

Influences and Philosophy

Centrowitz cites his father as the most influential person in his career. His hero is US middle distance runner Jim Ryun. His sporting philosophy is to make every moment count.

Personal Life

Centrowitz's family has a rich history in athletics. His father competed in the 1500m event at the 1976 Olympic Games and has coached athletics. His sister Lauren represented Stanford University in middle distance running. His partner Shelby Houlihan is also an accomplished middle distance runner who placed 11th in the 5000m final at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

Club Change and Other Roles

In 2019, Centrowitz joined Bowerman Track Club after previously training with Nike Oregon Project. He felt it was time for a change and found Bowerman Track Club to be a comfortable fit.

Centrowitz also played a significant role as part of the pacemaking team for Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two hour marathon run in Vienna, Austria, in 2019. Although not an official record due to non-race conditions, Centrowitz considered it an honour to be part of this historic event.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Centrowitz aims to continue competing at an elite level while focusing on maintaining his health and performance. His dedication to athletics remains unwavering as he strives for more achievements in his career.