Record-setter: Somerset Berkley High athlete sets the fastest track time in Massachusetts
SOMERSET — Camden Rose has been forced to re-set his goals.
The Somerset Berkley Regional High School senior is a tad ahead of schedule this indoor track and field season.
Three times he has broken the school record in the 300 meters. And on the third occasion, Jan. 29 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, he also broke the 35-second barrier, and not by a whisker. The academically 12th-ranked senior at SBR, Rose that day ran a 34.90, the fastest high school 300-meter time in the state this season.
Rose has flashed his speed brighter and brighter at three straight Massachusetts State Track Coach Association races this year, starting with a 36.84 on Dec. 10, breaking Mike Johnson's school record of 37.17 set in 2010.
On Jan. 10, he ran 35.72.
Rose said that when he crossed the finish line on Jan. 29, he suspected he had run as he had never run before, perhaps as fast as 35.1. Then his 34.90 popped up on the Lewis Center's giant scoreboard.
“I was definitely very surprised,” he said.
The 5-foot-7, 138-pounder said he had hoped to break 35 seconds but envisoned doing it, if he could, even later in the season.
Now, the South Coast Conference and Herald News Soccer All-Star is focusing on going for the gold at States and All-State and placing at the New England Championships.
Julie Riding, Rose's track and field's sprints coach since his freshman year, said that while Rose is clearly blessed with quickness and athleticism, his rise to these most recent heights involves his willingness to work. She said Rose cut back on club soccer during track and field season to better allow him to focus on training and recover from workouts.
“He set goals throughout the summer and would check in to let me know how he'd done,” she said. “He is the first kid on my line ready to complete the given drill or try a new skill. Honestly, a large part of our job as his coaches has been to reel him in because he is always so eager to do more.”
This past weekend, Rose won the 300 at the South Coast Conference Championships in a hand-timed 37.82. Because the GNB track is only about 176 yards around and lacks banked turns, it offered Rose to reasonable chance of Rose running a great time.
But now, it's onto Division 3 State this weekend and, if all goes well, All-States (Feb. 24) and New Englands (March 2).
Rose has already qualified for the New Balance and Nike nationals, both on March 9. , Rose said he'll attend New Balance, in Brighton. Interestingly, at both national meets, outdoor track and field distances are used. So, Rose's 300 times have actually landed him in the 200 meters at NB.
He said that's fine. This spring, he said, he's shooting for school records in the 400 and 200 meters. He added that he'd also like to give the 100 meters a try and perhaps take a shot at that school record.
Last spring, he qualified for the Eastern Massachusetts D3Championships in the 400 and placed fifth. Compared to the 400 meters, Rose said the 300 may be a slightly better fit for him.
“The last 50 meters (of the 300) I'm able to hold my form without really struggling. The last 100 meters of the 400 can be tough,” he said.
Said SBR head coach Keegan LaRue of Rose, “He's hard working, determined, and overall just an incredible young athlete who found something he excelled at and is taking it as far as he can.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset Berkley's Camden Rose records fastest 300 time in the state
