Region II Track and Field: Machine-like Watson tearing up the track (05-26-06)
By Matt Stanmyre (Daily Staff Writer)
STEPHENS CITY — When Tom Grim talks about Latasha Watson, he sounds like he's describing a piece of heavy machinery.
Powerful. Explosive. Forceful. Awesome.
Watson may be flesh and blood, but Grim's words do help capture the Sherando track and field star's essence.
"She is very explosive, very powerful," continues Grim, Sherando's track and field coach. "If you see her standing around, she's very impressive. She's just nothing but muscle."
She's also one of the best track and field athletes to ever walk the halls of Sherando. Watson, who is only a junior, has already captured school records in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, as well as the triple jump.
Watson is also the top seed in the 200 and 400 meters heading into today's Region II meet, which starts at 4 p.m. at Louisa High School. Even so, she is expected to garner points in as many as five different events.
"Probably what separates her is her natural ability," Grim said. "She is just so powerful, and it's natural. If she walked out of the school today, and hadn't worked out all year, she would still be our No. 1."
Some of that raw ability is owed to hard work. The rest can be attributed to Watson's bloodlines. Her parents were both multi-sport athletes in high school, and her uncles — David and Kurt Minifield — were two of the best track and field athletes to come through Frederick County.
"She's got a lot of history in track," Grim said. "You can see the talent in her family is coming through her."
Still, Watson has left her own fingerprints on the 2006 track season. During last week's Northwestern District meet, she took first place in the 200 and 400, as well as the long jump. Watson also finished second in the triple jump and helped Sherando's 4x400 relay team to a second-place finish.
"Latasha's just awesome," teammate Ryan Witt said. "She really works hard every day, and pushes the rest of the team. Her performances really boost team morale."
Watson hopes to parlay her successful postseason into a few more medals at today's regionals, and in next week's Group AA meet in Harrisonburg — she has already qualified for states in the 200, 400 and long jump.
"I'm just focused on pushing myself to do the best I ever have," Watson said. "I just want to place better than I have the past two years."
Watson took fifth in the 400 during last season's Group AA meet, but failed to place in the 100 and 200. That mediocre performance last year served as motivation heading into this season.
"I didn't do as well as I could have," Watson admitted. "Not at all."
Grim expects much more from her this season. He believes Watson is in the best shape of her life, something that isn't hard to fathom considering she's built like a fire hydrant.
"I think she's ready to make some real noise," Grim said.
Watson does, too.
"I really appreciate what [Grim's] done for me," she said. "He pushes me so hard in practice. He's always yelling at me to get my times lower, to keep getting my times down."
Grim marvels over Watson's muscularity, and that transcends simply physical gifts. Watson holds a 4.0 grade-point average, and hopes to become a forensic scientist in the future. Aside from being one of the top athletes at Sherando, she's also one of the best students in the school.
"She's just a well-rounded individual," Grim said.
While Watson is pleased with her accomplishments thus far this season, she is still searching for more. After all, Grim might soon need some new adjectives to describe his record-breaking track star.
