by Larry Eder 
Jenny Simpson, 2011 NB Games, photo by PhotoRun.net
Matt Centrowitz, Jr, 2011 WC, Daegu, photo by PhotoRun.net
Two of the hottest athletes in American Track & Field, Jenny Simpson, WC gold medalist at 1,500 meters and Matt Centrowitz,Jr. bronze medalist at 1,500 meters, will be debuting their 2012 season at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, to be held on February 4, 2011. Both athletes show what focus brings to a year as important as 2012.
Simpson and Centrowitz To Make 2012 Debut in Boston
American Miler Medalists will compete at the Reggie Lewis Center
BOSTON (Dec 13) – The reigning World Champion at 1500 Meters, Jenny Simpson, will open her 2012 season in Boston and Matthew Centrowitz will make his professional track debut on February 4 at the 2012 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, organizers announced today. Tickets for the 17th annual Olympic-style event are on sale now at www.nbindoorgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-849-8722.
American Jenny Simpson delivered one of the most memorable moments of
the 2011 IAAF World Championships as she effortlessly moved outside and
kicked past the entire field in the 1500m final to become the first
American woman to win an outdoor world title at this distance since Mary
Slaney’s victory at the inaugural IAAF World Championships in Helsinki,
more than 28 years ago. An intelligent and savvy racer, Simpson also
knows how to run fast. She set six NCAA records during her collegiate
career at the University of Colorado and is the reigning American
Record-Holder in the 3000m steeplechase.
“2011 was a big year for me but 2012 is almost here. Preparations for
next year are going well and I am excited to return to Boston. Track
fans at Reggie Lewis have shown that they particularly appreciate the
distance races so I am looking forward to hopefully giving them a
glimpse of things to come this summer.”
Matthew Centrowitz, like Simpson, returned to the United States this
summer with a medal from the World Championships – an impressive end to
an already standout season that included victories at the Pac-10
Championships, NCAA Championships & the USA Outdoor Championships.
Centrowitz’s bronze medal performance made him the first US
collegiate athlete in history to ever win a medal at this distance at
the World Championships. He announced last month that he will forgo his
last year of NCAA eligibility at the University of Oregon and this will
be his indoor track professional debut.
The 17th-annual meet, the second stop in USA Track & Field’s Visa
Championship Series, begins at 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Reggie Lewis
Track and Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College. Tickets and
meet Information can be found on-line at www.nbindoorgrandprix.com or by calling 1-877-TIX-TRAC.
About New Balance
New Balance, headquartered in Boston, MA has the following
mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands
that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and
communities are proud to host. New Balance employs more than 4000
people around the globe, and in 2009 reported worldwide sales of $1.65
billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
