ATHLETE OF THE WEEK : Taft Sprinter Watts, Energized by Elite Field, Turns in Nation’s Best Times

No one will deny that Quincy Watts of Taft is blessed with natural talent. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 197 pounds, the 16-year-old junior possesses the physical attributes of an elite sprinter. In track and field circles Watts is known as a thoroughbred.

But it might be his psychological approach to competition that distinguishes Watts from most of his fellow sprinters.

Simply put, Watts doesn’t succumb to pressure. He has yet to run poorly in a major meet. In the past two seasons he has placed no worse than second in a major meet, even though he has run against the top high school competitors in California.

He thrives on competition, turning in his best performances when he is challenged the most.

“I get up for the big races,” he said after winning the 200 meters at Saturday’s Arcadia invitational. “I really look forward to running against the best people.”

At Arcadia, the best included Corey Ealy of Muir and Tony Miller of Riordan High in San Francisco.

Ealy placed fourth in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters at the 1986 state championships, and Miller entered the meet with the state’s fastest clocking this year at 100 meters (10.59).

Watts, however, dominated both races, winning the 100 (10.51) by .22 seconds and the 200 (20.89) by .46 seconds. Both times were personal bests and are the fastest high school clockings in the nation this season. His time in the 100 was even more impressive because it came into a 3.0 meter-per-second head wind.

“I concentrate better in the big races because I have to be ready to run,” Watts said. “I know everyone is gunning for me because I am the defending state champion in the 200.”