Boys Indoor Track: Centennial Eagles Season Update

"Work hard."

That's the message Coach Warren Michael has been instilling into the members of the Centennial boys indoor track team since the first day of practice on Nov. 15.

There are 60 runners on the team this season.

"My philosophy is to not make cuts," said Michael, who is in his sixth season as coach. "If they show up to practice and work hard, then I keep them on the team."

The team practices five days a week.

Monday through Thursday they practice outside at the school track. A portion of Monday and Wednesday practices are spent lifting weights in the Centennial weight room.

On Fridays, the team jogs two miles to Quest Fitness on Baltimore National Pike and then does a one-hour workout at the Quest Fitness gym. They do a variety of activities at the gym, including stationary cycling and use of the elliptical machine.

The team leader is senior Zach Peck, according to Michael. Peck specializes in the one-mile race.

"He is one of the team captains," Michael said. "This is his fourth year on the team. He has a great work ethic and is a role model for the other runners."

Unlike other winter sports, indoor track does not have events every week.

The season officially began on Dec. 6 with the HoCo Kickoff Meet, where every school in the county competed.

Prior to that, on Dec. 4, there was a scrimmage meet.

The Eagles finished in fifth place at the HoCo Kickoff Meet, a placement Michael is pleased with.

"We finished towards the bottom of the county standing last year," Michael said. "This year a realistic goal is to finish fifth or  sixth, so we are off to a good start. I only see things improving from here on out."

The standout performance at the HoCo Kickoff Meet was from senior shot putter Jamie Leroy, who finished first.

Sophomore Josh Poole finished 2nd in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump. 

Junior Julian Medina finished fourth in the long jump.

Senior Grant Harris finished third in the pole vault.

Other strong performances included senior Kevin Judd (eighth) in the 500 meter race and senior Sam Kraft (ninth) in the 3200 meter race.

"Jamie and Grant are going to be key athletes for  us this season in terms of picking up team points," said Michael.

The team's second meet was the HoCo Wintertrack Festival on Dec. 11. There were 58 schools competing at the meet, according to Michael.

The Eagles' top performer at that meet was sophomore Josh Poole, who finished eighth in the 200 meter race.

"I am looking forward to how the rest of the season goes," Michael said. "This team has a great attitude, and I really enjoy working with them."