Centrowitz, Murphy Lead Intriguing USATF Mid-Distance Core
The USA 1500m King and phenomenon Murphy headline a handful of Olympic hopefuls
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL — For the past 12 years, the U.S. distance team has experienced slim success at the Olympic level, and that success has been dominated by a few figures: Galen Rupp, Nick Symmonds and Leo Manzano. Only one of these individuals will be participating at this year’s Olympics — Rupp is slated to compete in the men’s marathon and the 10k. But the outlook for the Americans in the distance events is no where near dim; it is quite bright in fact, actually.
The 800m team, perhaps the deepest of the distance teams, consists entirely of 1st time Olympians: Boris Berian, Clayton Murphy and Charles Jock. Berian and Murphy pose a serious threat to medal, who both have had superb 2016’s.
Berian won World Indoors this year in the 800m, and currently owns the fastest 800m in the world this year with 1:43.34 PR. Definitively the best season of Berian’s young career. As for Clayton Murphy, the kid has been on fire for the past year. The University of Akron superstar took home gold in the 800m at the 2015 Pan-American Games, then followed up that performance with a dominant NCAA season: 2016 NCAA Indoor champion in the 800m and 2016 NCAA Outdoor champion in the 1500m. Murphy’s 3:36.38 was less than a second off the meet record set by Sydney Maree of Villanova in 1981. Less than a week later, Murphy ran 3:36.23 (.03 off the Olympic ‘A’ Standard) at the Portland Track Festival and turned professional following the race. Murphy has proven his versatility by switching it up with the 800m and 1500m, has shown that he can win at the big level with his Pan-American win and NCAA championships, and can close in a hurry (55.84 last 400m in his NCAA 1500m win). As for Jock, this is the UC Irvine graduates’ first time competing at the international championship level, and his time of 1:45.48 is only the 7th fastest time in the U.S. alone this year, and places him outside the top 20 for the world this year. Yet, you can’t entirely rule out Jock; he was a surprise to even make the Olympic Team, so clearly the man possesses the ability to perform when it matters the most.
The 1500m team is where America’s best chance for gold lays — in the hands of Matthew Centrowitz Jr. Centro is fresh off a World Championship win in the 1500m, and no one can forget his memorable second-place finish at the 2014 World Championships. He owns a lifetime PR of 3:30.40, and has proven time and time again that he has the closing speed necessary at the Olympic level. Although he’ll be facing a titan in gold-medal favorite Asbel Kiprop of Kenya, Centrowitz has been far more consistent than Kiprop this season.
Filling out the rest of the 1500m team is Robby Andrews and Ben Blankenship. Andrews redeemed himself at this year’s Olympic Trials after missing out on the 2012 Olympics, something he recently opened up about. The New Jersey native though has never run faster than 3:34 for the 1500m, and currently sits at #27 in the world. The past two Olympic 1500m champions (Taoufik Makhloufia and Asbel Kiprop) own PR’s of 3:27 or faster. As for Blankenship, the man was working as an excavation grunt a mere four years ago, injured and wondering if running was still even an option for him. It’s cliche, but it’s amazing Blankenship is even here. Blankenship’s 3:35.02 SB places him outside the top 30 for the world; what can’t be measured is Blankenship’s perseverance, which has gotten him this far.
What can’t be overlooked is the potential surrounding this mid-distance crew. It signifies a turning point in American distance running, filled with hope and excitement. Centro is just entering his prime at 26 years old; Murphy is a ripe a 21 years old; Berian is just 23 years old and already a World Indoor champ; Andrews is 25 years old. It’s an exciting time for USA Track and Field fans.
