Ka’Deem Wynn | Writer
Flagler Palm Coast High School is proud to send off another one of it’s best to compete at the next level. After careful consideration, Alex Centi, in the presence of friends, family, and coaches, signed Tuesday to run track at Lincoln College, in Lincoln, Illinois.
Centi chose Lincoln not just because of the scholarship money offered, but he took a liking to the coach.
“The coach sold me on the opportunity to be better than ever,” he said.
Over the course of his college years, he wants to major in business administration. After two years at Lincoln, Centi aspires to transfer to a university. A few that he has in mind are USF, Buffalo, Penn State, or Miami.
Initially a weightlifter and football player, Centi gave track a shot after being persuaded by his sophomore World History teacher, Dave Halliday, who is the head track coach.
“He asked if I was fast so I tried out for the team,” Centi said.
Naturally as most football players’ do, he went straight to sprinting, running a variation of events, from the 100, 200, and 400-meter dash races. It wasn’t long before he was dubbed “Speedy Centi” by his teammates.
He would truly earn that name his junior year. With Halliday being known for transforming 400-meter runners to 800-meter runners, Centi became a middle distance runner, and eventually earned his spot part of the team’s 4x800 relay.
At the region meet, Centi’s strong efforts on the relay helped propel the team forward, and the relay was able to not only win their heat, but qualify out of the heat, placing fourth overall, punching their ticket for the state meet. Centi and the relay would go on to place ninth at the state meet.
His individual season would come to an end at the district meet, where he ran 2:02.57 in the 800, placing fifth. Despite the huge letdown, Centi persevered. He would run the 800 at the 38th Annual Golden South Classic, running his PR of 2:00.80.
After track was done, and full of reluctance, he ran his second season of cross country, posting a personal-best time of 18:57.87.
Despite a good time 5k time, Centi still prefered to wear his spikes on the track instead of on grass. Eager to get back to the state meet, Centi put in a lot of time training during the off-season, running sand hills, spending time in the weight room, and building up mileage. When Halliday told him that it was time to put on his spikes, he was ready.
However, trials came and went at the start of the season, and would continue throughout the season.
“I was running a lot faster last year than this year,” he said. “But I'm definitely in better shape than last year. Regions I feel will be my time.”
Struggling to get back to his old way of running, Centi finished 13th at the district meet in the 800. With only the 4x800 being his last chance at making it back to states, Centi looks to the region meet at Flagler Palm Coast High School to be his redeeming race.
Teammate Ka’Deem Wynn, who runs the 4x800 with Centi, explains his thoughts on Centi.
“He’s a good runner. I just feel like this season he’s been asleep for a really long time,” he said. “Regionals is coming up so I think that he’s finally going to wake up.”
The difference between states and staying home is in every individual on the relay, something Centi understands. Coming out of the Region of Death, you have to.
After the season is over, Centi looks to return to Orlando for the 39th Golden South Classic to improve his 800 time before college.
After resting, he looks to begin training for the upcoming track season. One thing he’s happy and jokes about is no more running cross country.
Upon preparing for his future, he looks back at the past three years. He says one pivotal moment throughout his career, which is really many, is having Halliday pushing him. Pushing him to be part of a great team, and pushing him to be an even greater individual.
