ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Hard Work Makes Watts Even Better

The hard work is starting to pay off for Taft’s Quincy Watts, who turned in an impressive two-meet double last week.

“I’m finally 100% now,” Watts said. “I’m really pleased with the way I ran on Saturday, especially after running on Friday. I couldn’t have pulled off that double last year. I didn’t have the strength.”

Part one of Watts’ double included individual victories in the 100 meters (10.7) and 440 yards (49.5) against Reseda on Friday and two anchor legs on the victorious 440-yard (42.3) and mile relay (3:26.8) teams.

Part two came 24 hours later in the Pasadena Games at Occidental College where Watts won the 100 meters in a season-best 10.74 and ran anchor legs on the Taft 400- (41.64) and 1,600-meter relay (3:17.87) teams that placed third.

Watts, the defending state champion at 200 meters, attributed his successful double to a training regimen designed to build endurance. His workouts, which include half-mile and 550-yard repeats, resemble those of a middle-distance runner, not a sprinter.

Watts was scheduled to compete in the 400 but withdrew as a precautionary measure after straining his back in the 400-meter relay.

It proved to be a wise decision. His back has healed and Watts brought the crowd to its feet with a brilliant 46.2 anchor leg in the 1,600-meter relay. He received the baton in sixth place but passed three teams in the final 400 meters and just missed catching a fourth.