Sammy Watson Remains Undefeated, Dips Under OT Standard, Will Represent Team USA In Poland

Photo by Kirby Lee - Image of Sport

Mission accomplished!  One week ahead of the US Olympic Track Trials, Sammy Watson (Rush-Henrietta Sperry) has hit the time qualifier for acceptance into the meet.  And yet, that's not even the most important news of the day.

Watson's mark of 2:02.91 came from USATF Juniors, a qualifying meet for the U20 World Championships, held later this summer in Bydgoszcz, PolandNot even a strong opening lap of 60secs, could drain the finishing kick from Watson's legs, as she masterfully sat in third until the final 150m.  There, like always, Watson kicked away from the field to take home the title.  The move pulled the field to record personal bests, and set the meet record for USATF Juniors.  This all, despite the blistering conditions that saw the real-feel of the track hit upwards of 121 degrees.

The win comes again in a season where Watson simply has not lost.  She remains undefeated, yet not uncontested, throughout a majority of her running career.  The mark improves her NY #2 All-Time position on the rankings list, and puts her high up on the World Junior list for 2016.  Watson is the World Youth Champion from last summer, and will be looking to bring home another gold for Team USA.  It is likely Watson will stay undefeated, as she tells Johanna Gretschel of MileSplit US, that she will be forgoing the Olympic Trials to concentrate on World U20 Juniors.  Being only a JR, Watson will have an opportunity to make the World Junior Team once again, in two years.

Full Results Below


Event 4  Women 800 Meter Run
================================================================
    World Jr: W 1:54.01  2008        Pamela Jelimo, KEN
 American Jr: A 1:58.21  8/18/2013   Ajee' Wilson
     WJC Std: & 2:09.20
    Name                    Year Team                    Finals
================================================================
Finals
  1 Samantha Watson              Rochester Ru           2:02.91&
  2 Aaliyah Miller               Unattached             2:02.96&
  3 Ruby Stauber                 Track Minnes           2:03.43&
  4 Mikaela Smith                Southern California    2:05.39&
  5 Rachel Pocratsky             Virginia Tech          2:06.54& 2:06.531
  6 Caitlin Collier              Unattached             2:06.54& 2:06.540
  7 Jazmine Fray                 Texas A&M              2:08.02&
  8 Jasmine Staebler             Iowa St.               2:08.17&