Centrowitz breaks Penn mile record | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

It wasn't enough that he became the first runner to win the 3,000-meter run in one year and follow it up with a mile victory the next, but Centrowitz also took down one of the oldest records in the books of a meet that spans over 113 years.

The Oregon signee was clocked at 4 minutes, 8.38 seconds, which bests Gordon Oliver's (Bethesda-Chevy Chase) record of 4:08.7 set in 1972.

"Whenever you come into a meet like this, you check out what the record is," Centrowitz said. "My dad said, 'Hey, its 4:08' and I was like, 'Yeah, maybe.' But I wanted to just win the race more than I wanted the record."

In fact, Centrowitz had received a text message from one of the race favorites, Paul Springer (Unionville, Pa.) asking if he would help him take the race out fast (2:03 or 4:06 pace). Not wanting to be the sacrificial lamb and knowing that the field was already primed to 'go for it,' Centrowitz sat back early and smartly moved up as the race progressed.

By the final lap he was pulling away, splitting 59.02 seconds over the final lap to set his outdoor personal best.

Centrowitz raised his arms in victory as he crossed the finish line. Moments later, before a television interview, he stepped onto the awards stand and raised them again as a crowd of 39,166 fans cheered his record.

"I don't think I could have gone much faster," said Centrowitz, who will run at Oregon next year. "It was perfect conditions tonight and I had been sick last week, so I'm pretty pleased with the time."

THURSDAY: The 113th running of the Penn Relay Carnival kicked off Thursday at the University of Pennsylvania's Franklin Field with the women taking center stage on day one. Many of the top county runners teamed to contest the 400-meter and 1600-meter relays.

The Annapolis quartet of Jessica Tongue, Torrie Saunders, Shazarah Wilds and Ashley Cottrell ran the area's fastest time of the day in the 400-meter relay in 49.26 seconds - a season best. Arundel's squad of Allesha Hardiin, Sydney Spellman, Jade Perry and Cori Otey finished second to the Panthers in 50.93 seconds.

Tongue and Saunders teamed with Tiffany Foster and Kathryn Howser later in the day to run 4:10.12 for the Panthers in the 1600 relay, with Saunders splitting 59.93 on the anchor leg.

However, Meade's team of Jasmine Savage, Lauren LeClerq, Kelty Kahra, and Christina Mason ran the county's fastest time of the day, winning heat 15 in 4:08.86.

TODAY: Several local athletes will be competing in various events today at the Penn Relays. Look for full results of the event in the Wednesday edition of the Maryland Gazette