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Poland’s Centofanti dominates D-II district
By Gary Housteau
SALEM
At the very end of a perfect day for Poland senior Gino Centofanti in the Division II district finals at Salem High, he got more good news.
“I PR’d (Personal Record) in the 200 [meter dash],” Centofanti said as he was still catching his breath from that race. “It feels really good. All the hard work is paying off.”
He certainly wasn’t expecting to PR under the inclement weather conditions — especially after he ran a slow (according to his standards) 100m race earlier in the event.
“Not after the 100 meters. I ran an 11 flat (11.08 seconds),” Centofanti said. “I was expecting a 10.9 but I’m really happy with that time in this weather. It’s very good. So I’m happy with it.”
Centofanti started off with the 100m victory, then proceeded to anchor the 4x200 and 4x100 Bulldogs teams to victories before he finished his day off with his personal-best victory in the 200. He said the weather didn’t really affect his approach to any of his races.
“No new strategy,” Centofanti said. “I just came in with the same thing, the same idea, and I got the job done.”
Recording a 22.38 in the 200m was an added bonus for Centofanti.
“Yeah, it’s a big deal. My best time was a 22.6 and I dropped a .30, so that’s good for me,” he said. “Definitely peaking at the right time. Looking good for the regionals next week.”
Centofanti is hoping to make it to Columbus again for the state meet. Last year he went as a member of the 4x100 (third place) and 4x200 (eighth place) teams.
“I’ve never been there for the individual events and that’s what I’m hoping to do this year,” he said. “It’s definitely possible. If I can get down to a 22-flat or 22.1, I think that will be good enough for state.”
First-year track coach Mark Brungard has been impressed with Centofanti’s hard work.
“It’s been a work in progress,” Brungard said. “Like all of these kids, they commit themselves to countless hours of training and running when no one is watching and you tell them it will mean something at the end. For him today, to come in first in four district events and run a PR too, it’s very gratifying and I know he’s very excited.”
South Range duo finish 1 and 2
As the bell lap tolled, South Range junior Xena Maali led the 1600m as senior Mollie Pierson was on her heels.
“I led all three laps,” Maali said. “And she took over the last lap.”
Pierson tried to stay calm and collected.
“In my head I was like, ‘OK Xena’s here and I’m here and we push each other during practice so we can do this,’” Pierson said. “She starts out really fast and my strategy is to start a little slower and then pick it up from there.”
Pierson passed Maali right after the start of the final lap but the two were still neck and neck for most of the last lap.
“I knew she was there to push me, but the last 200 we were pacing each other,” Maali said. “But she has a way better kick than I do.
“Yes I want to beat her and she also wants to beat me too. We really don’t care who wins. I’m excited to move on [to regionals) with her.”
They’re hoping to move on to the state meet together as well.
“That’s the dream,” Pierson said.
“I’m more optimistic — so we’re going to make,” Maali said. “We are. I guarantee.”
In the final race of the meet, Poland and Salem faced off in the boys 4x400 relay as the Quakers led 111-105. Poland’s anchor leg came from behind and pulled out the victory for the Bulldogs, but the Salem boys took the team title, 119-115. Marlington won the girls division, while Salem finished second and South Range placed third.