Former Oregon star Matthew Centrowitz headlines Saturday's Wanamaker Mile in New York City

Centrow.JPGMatthew Centrowitz, pictured here at the 2011 IAAF World Outdoor Championships.

Matthew Centrowitz hasn't wasted any time jumping into the thick of his first season as a professional.

The former Oregon mid-distance star will be featured Saturday in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games in New York City.

"Millrose is such a prestigious meet anyway, and the headliner is the Wanamaker Mile," Centrowitz said. "Olympic champions and world champions have competed in it. I've been wanting to participate in it since high school. I can't believe the day is finally here."

Centrowitz is an East Coast guy, who grew in Annapolis, Md. His father, Matt, was an All-American for Oregon, and Matthew came west to attend his dad's alma mater.

The younger Centrowitz broke through last year, winning the NCAA and USA Outdoor 1,500-meter titles, and taking the bronze medal at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships.

He gave up his senior year at Oregon

and debuted as a member of the

in the 3,000 at last week's New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston. He finished seventh, with a personal-record time of 7 minute 46.19 seconds.

"I can't be too disappointed with that," he said. "I'm looking forward to progressing the rest of the season."

There would be no time like the present. His parents, other family members and a number of friends will be in The Armory on Saturday.

"I'm excited to drop down in distance from the 3,000," he said. "There will be a rabbit, so the pace should be steady. I want to get in there and compete, and hope to have a shot at winning it. At least, I want to get in there and give myself a good shot."

Ken Goe: 503-221-8040

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