Local Athlete Impresses at National Track Competition

Multi-sport athlete and 10-year-old Butler resident Sean Centinaro has had a busy year.

Earning straight A’s in all of his classes, playing on three different baseball teams and hanging out with his friends were all part of his daily routine this year. But even with a jam-packed schedule, Centinaro found time to qualify and compete in a national track meet.

Nearly 500,000 kids between the ages of 9 and 14 from across the United States, including Puerto Rico and Canada, competed to get to the national Hershey’s Track & Field Meet. Only 480 made it and Centinaro was one of them. 

Centinaro had the fastest time (13.3 seconds) in the 100-meter race in his region, which consisted of seven different states from Delaware to Quebec, to qualify for the national competition at Hershey Park, PA. 

Centinaro left Butler on Aug. 4 to participate in the track competition. The-four day event included free admission to the park, a t-shirt exchange with other athletes from different states and a closing celebration ceremony for the athletes' families. Nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis was even there to meet and greet the athletes.

When it came time for the race, Centinaro faced seven other athletes. Finishing with the third fastest time (14 seconds), he earned the bronze medal.

“I was mad I didn’t win because, had I ran my qualification time for the regions, I would have won. Overall though, this was a good experience. I had a lot of fun, got to make new friends from different states across the country. My goal is to qualify again next year and win,” said Centinaro.

Centinaro was not the only one who was excited about the experience.

“As scared as I was, I am extremely proud of my son for competing and finishing third in the race," said Debbie Centinaro, Sean's mom. "I cannot say enough great comments on how well the whole four-day event was organized. To organize the arrival of 480 children from across North America isn’t easy but the coordinators did a tremendous job."

With the majority of his time focused on playing baseball, Centinaro only practiced with the Butler elementary and middle school track teams once or twice a week for an hour. Since the experience, a national Junior Olympics track coach has expressed interest in potentially meeting and training with Centinaro.

As the fall season is fast approcahing, Centinaro is now focusing on his favorite sport: football. With his speed, he is aiming to top the 28 touchdowns he scored last season.