The Agnes Irwin junior finished third in both the 800 and 1600 meter run at the PAISAA Track & Field Championships. She won a gold medal in the 800 meter run at the Delco Championships. At the PAISAA championships, she broke the school record in the 1600 for the second time this year, and has broken other school records this spring. A year-round runner at Agnes Irwin, Watson also runs indoor track and cross country for the Owls. Off the running track at Agnes Irwin, Watson is the co-founder of the Animal Welfare Club, co-head of both the Produce Project Club and Team Joy, a tour guide, a Writing Center tutor, and a member of Service Council.
Q: What was the key to your success at the PAISAA Track & Field Championships?
A: My key to success at the meet was trusting my abilities. I had never run the 1600, 800 and 4×400 relay all in the same meet, but I was excited because I knew I had been building the strength needed for this meet throughout the entire season. My main focus was on the 1600 because I knew I could run a PR. I made sure to stay with Nieve and Kendra (the top two runners) during this race because I knew they would be able to pull me to a fast time. I knew it would be hard to stay with them, but I stayed focused and ended up beating my personal best by three seconds.
Q: What is your favorite memory of the PAISAA meet?
A: The 4×400 — I always love the energy that the athletes and spectators bring to the relay because it is always the last event on the track. My team ran a season best, beating our previous time by three seconds, and we placed second in our heat, putting us in fifth place overall.
Q: Tell us a little about your 800 meter race at Delco Championships. What was the key to your victory?
A: I was seeded first going into this race after the prelims, which gave me the confidence I needed to take the lead from the start of the race. I knew that if I could get the lead in the beginning, I would just have to focus on making sure nobody passed me. Going into the last 200 meters, I knew it would be hard to maintain the lead because there was someone right on my shoulder. I made sure to hold her off throughout the curve, and then I was able to finish the last 100 strong.
Q: What school track record that you hold is the most meaningful to you and why?
A: The 1600 meter record is the most meaningful to me because it shows my improvement over the years. Last season, I ran the 1600 three times, and my fastest time was 5:30. This year, I came close to breaking five minutes. I think that breaking this record shows how much I have progressed as a runner, especially since I used to not like running the 1600 and now it is one of my favorite events.
Q: What aspect of your running are you working on most currently?
A: Currently, I am working on my speed because it is the end of the season. I have built a good endurance base throughout cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track, so now I have been doing mostly shorter workouts with 200-400 meter repeats. I am also always working on my form. I do a lot of strides, even on my easy days, and focus on getting my knees up and staying tall while running fast.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive running.
A: I didn’t start running track until my freshman year, and this year was my first year running cross country because I had always played soccer instead. That being said, my family has been very much into running my whole life. My parents both ran in college and professionally, and they would always have me compete in kids’ running races for fun when I was younger.
Q: Who have been your most valuable mentors in running, and what has been the most important thing you have learned from each of them?
A: My dad has been one of my most valuable mentors because he has so much experience in competitive running. He does workouts with me during the off-season and helps me strategize before each meet. He has taught me that to be a good runner, you have to put in the work and stay disciplined, even on the days when you don’t feel motivated. My coaches have also been valuable mentors for me. Coach Ashley has challenged my teammates and me this outdoor season with many hard, yet beneficial workouts, and Coach John has always been there to support me since my freshman year. Coach Pat has also been a great mentor because she has always believed in me and given me the confidence to run my best.
Q: Tell us a little about your running shoes, the type of shoe you favor, and why.
A: I race in the Nike Dragonfly spikes. I really enjoy racing in these because they are very light and comfortable, but also have good support for longer races like the 1600. I train in Brooks Glycerins, which I have been using for over a year. I have about four pairs of these same sneakers because they have been super reliable for me over the past few seasons.
Emma Watson (submitted photo)
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-race preparation on the day of a race.
A: I always have the same breakfast on the day of a meet. I have oatmeal with chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, and a banana because it keeps me full and gives me a lot of energy going into my races. As for my warm-up, I like to run for about 10-15 minutes at a moderate pace before stretching and doing drills, and then I put my spikes on and do a few strides to get some turnover before stepping on the track. I love warming up with my teammates because they make me so much less nervous going into races, and they remind me that even though I want to run well and improve my times, it is also important to focus on having fun.
Q: What has been your most memorable running experience outside of Agnes Irwin?
A: My most memorable running experience was running at New Balance Indoor Nationals this winter. It was so exciting to race in such a nice facility with incredible competition. I was able to lead my heat for the first three laps of the 800, which allowed me to hear my name on the loudspeaker when I was running, something I had never experienced before. I tried out a very different strategy for this race by starting out much faster than I was used to, which really boosted my confidence going into the outdoor season.
Q: What is your favorite academic course at Agnes Irwin? What do you think you might want to major in at college?
A: My favorite courses at Agnes Irwin were Engineering I and II. I took Engineering I last year, where I learned about drafting and computer-aided design (CAD), and I took Engineering II this year, which helped me further develop my CAD skills. These courses have sparked my interest in the field of engineering, leading me to want to possibly pursue Biomedical Engineering in college.
Fun facts – Emma Watson
Favorite TV show: The OC.
Favorite movie: 10 Things I Hate About You.
Favorite athlete: Mikaela Shiffrin.
Favorite place to visit: The Chesapeake Bay.
Favorite pre-meet meal: “Pasta the night before a meet.”
Person you most admire, and why: “I admire my mom because she has worked very hard to get where she is today in her career. She is a meteorologist (Cecily Tynan), and by being a public figure, she faces lots of criticism in her daily life. However, her ability to not let harmful comments get to her is inspiring, and she always reminds me to be confident in myself no matter what people have to say.”
Family members: parents Greg and Cecily, brother Luke, and dogs Shelby, Nala and Charlie.
(To be selected for Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
