Columbia Academy junior qualifies for Indoor Track Nationals
Submitted to Southern Sports & Travel by Columbia Academy
Columbia Academy junior Jon Luke Watts has qualified for the Emerging Elite 2-Mile Run in the New Balance Indoor National Championships in New York City on March 9th. Watts met the national qualifying standard in the prestigious Jimmy Carnes Indoor Youth Meet at the University of Florida on January 29th. He needed to run at least 9:03.00 in the 3000 Meter Run to make the cut. In a field of 27 top runners, Watts finished 4th crossing the finish line in 8:59.44 to assure him a coveted spot at the National Championships.
Columbia Academy distance coach Duane Powell said that this was a big day for Columbia Academy. “It’s a big deal to have a runner represent you at the National Championships. After the Cross Country season, we put together a plan to go to Nationals. Jon Luke stuck to that plan working extremely hard, and he made it. We are very proud of him,” said Powell.
Watts kicked off the indoor season winning the 1600 and 3200 meter races at the LSU Indoor Track Classic on January 6th and 7th. He dominated the 3200 Meter Run finishing 10 seconds ahead of the second place runner with a National Elite time of 9:56.21.
The 1600 posed a perfect scenario with Watts the winner of the 3200 and New Orleans runner Thomas Miller winner of the 800 (2:00.60) matched with 13 other top runners. Watts took the lead on the second lap with Miller on his tail. Knowing that Miller being a 800 runner would have a strong kick at the end, Watts picked up the pace, but couldn’t open much of a gap. However, Watts matched Miller’s kick, stride for stride, and crossed the finish line 0.46 of a second ahead to take the win with a personal record of 4:32.29.
On Saturday, Jan. 14th, Watts turned in an awesome performance in the Arkansas Indoor Invitational at the University of Arkansas. This is considered one of the top-5 most competitive high school indoor meets in the nation. Watts finished 5th out of 52 runners in the 3000 Meter Run with a National Elite time of 9:03.40. He missed the Nationals’ qualifying standard by a mere 0.40 of a second.
Watts wrapped up his regular indoor season Saturday, Feb. 4th winning the 1600 and 3200 races in the Cowboy Indoor Invitational at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. He took the lead on the second lap of the 1600 and pulled away from the pack finishing 9 seconds ahead of second place with a personal record of 4:31.90.
It seemed that the 3200 might be a close one as Walker, Louisiana runner Brady Warren held a narrow lead over Watts with 4 laps to go. Watts took the lead with 3 1/2 laps left, slowly pulled away, and used a blazing kick to finish 10 seconds ahead with 10:02. 87.
Coach Powell said that Watts will now focus on preparing for Nationals. “We have a month to get ready, and I believe he can drop his time significantly. He’s a fine Christian athlete and will represent CA, MAIS and Mississippi well,“ said Powell.
