Lauren Centrowitz Named Stanford/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week
Senior Lauren Centrowitz has been selected as the Stanford/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week for May 11-17.
May 18, 2009
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Senior Lauren Centrowitz of Stanford women's track and field was selected as the Stanford/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week for May 11-17, 2009.
Centrowitz was selected after winning the Pac-10 title in the 5,000 meters, helping Stanford to the runner-up position at the 2009 Pac-10 Track and Field Championships. Centrowitz entered the meet as the top seed in the 1,500 meters, her best event. However, in the final lap of that race, Centrowitz was tripped in the lead pack, ending her chance for her first conference title. Centrowitz ended up a disappointing fifth with a time of 4:28.72 after she had put herself in position to win the race. Centrowitz had a second opportunity when she doubled back just two hours later in the 5,000 meters, a grueling event that she was competing in for the first time this season. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, she used a huge kick over the final lap to overtake Nicole Blood of Oregon. Blood had entered the meet with the top seed and the third fastest time in the nation in the 5,000 meters.
It was the first Pac-10 title of the outstanding career for Centrowitz. She is already a seven-time All-American for Stanford and a member of the 2005, '06 and '07 national champion cross country teams. Earlier this year she placed third in the 3,000 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships as well as anchoring the distance medley relay that placed fourth to earn a pair of All-America honors.
Centrowitz will next compete in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA West Regional in Eugene, Ore. on May 29-30. She will be looking to return to the NCAA Outdoor Championships where she has competed in the same event the last two seasons.
This is the first Stanford/Muscle Milk Student-Athlete of the Week honor for Centrowitz.
Also nominated: Matt Bruch (Men's Tennis), Hilary Barte (Women's Tennis), Dodge Kemmer (Men's Golf), Ashley Hansen (Softball), Kellen Kiilsgaard (Baseball), Daniel Schaerer (Men's Track and Field).