Published: May 09, 2008 01:27 am            

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Watts earns return trip to Austin in 400 meters

At this time last year, New Waverly’s Tyren Watts was making his debut at the state track meet in Austin. Despite a disappointing showing in the 400-meter dash, it was a memorable experience for Watts.

After a year of hard work and practice, Watts, now a sophomore, has earned a trip back to Mike Myers Stadium and is looking to do more than just be one of the eight finalists.

“It’s a good feeling,” Watts said after running a 500-meter warmup on Tuesday. “I knew I would get back. I always knew I would make it back. But I knew it was going to be hard, too.”

Watts’ efficient work on the track this spring made a believer out of his coach.

“Seeing him qualify for state was more of a surprise than when he did it as a freshman,” New Waverly head coach Eldridge McAdams said. “If you look at it, we had a long run in basketball. Tyren ran only one meet before district. He ran the Caldwell meet. Then it was district, regional qualifier and regionals. He only ran four times.

“It was surprising because he was so far behind the other runners who had seven or eight meets under their belts. That’s what’s scary about it because he just goes out and runs on athletic ability.”

In Watts ’ first appearance at the state meet, he went into the event with the fourth-best time, but finished sixth.

“He was like a kid at the candy store,” McAdams said. “It was a different atmosphere. Here you are at something people from all over Texas come to see. I think this year he knows where we’re going. He knows how it’s set up. For him, it’ll be the same place but he’ll have a year of maturity.”

“I was kind of intimidated by all the people,” Watts admitted. “There was a lot of pressure. But this year, I’m calm and more focused.”

Looking to have a better showing in the 400, Watts is looking to rely more on technique than pure athleticism. He has had a much better work ethic this time around, often staying late after school to go run around the track to lower his time.

“This year, I’m actually practicing and working hard,” Watts said. “Last year, I just ran to see how far I could get. This year, I’m working hard so I can get better. Every week my time goes down, which means I’m getting better at it. I definitely have to take practice seriously. Last year, I didn’t take it real serious.

“Everything I did last year was just off natural ability. It got me to realize that if I could get to that stage on natural ability, imagine what it could be like if I worked harder.”

Over the past year, Watts has also learned some valuable lessons on not just practice, but on running a better race.

“I learned that you can’t run full speed around the whole thing,” Watts said. “It’s nearly impossible unless you’re in super shape. This year at regionals I didn’t get as tired as I usually get, but I took off a little late. I’ve been working at keeping my stamina up. I’ve practiced that by running 800s and 1,600s to build my stamina up so I won’t get tired.”

McAdams has also seen Watts making great strides in becoming a better runner.

“One thing I can say is that it takes a man to run the quarter,” McAdams said. “I still don’t think he has it down to a T, but I think from last year to this year, I’m thinking he’s getting it down and learning how to run. He’s learning the phases and where to kick it in and where not to.”

While Watts hopes that all the hard work will pay off with a medal Saturday afternoon, he can take solace in the fact that he is the only runner to return to state in the event. In fact, this tidbit of information was a pleasant surprise to the young runner.

“Out of everybody? Oh, well, that’s a real big accomplishment,” Watts said. “That’s a real good feeling. It was exciting last year just being the only freshman. That makes me feel like I accomplished so much more just to go down there and be the only one returning to state. To be one of the best runners in the state, that right there boosts my confidence and encourages me. Being that I went there last year and have the experience makes me believe that I can do it.”

The only drawback is that the qualifying times are quicker than they were a year ago and Watts knows he has his work cut out for him.

“I know it’s going to be hard,” Watts said. “The times are better and I’m coming in at sixth best this year where last year I was fourth. But I just have to go out and run my race.

“By me knowing that I’m the only state qualifier returning from last year, I know I can get into the top three. It just depends on how hard I work and I’ve been working hard lately. ... Last year at state, I was just happy to be there. Now, I know what it’s like. I’m going to come out there, stay focused, run my race and pray that I do well.”

        

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