The Arizona Wildcats hurdlers ran down the back straight at a recent practice while country music wafted out of the small speakers near the imagined finish line.
Yes, country music.
One of the hurdlers said it was strange not to have something a little more inspiring or upbeat.
The music reminds Sage Watson of home. Arizona’s star athlete grew up on a ranch in Canada. Still, the selection wasn’t her choice.
“Coach loves it, and I tune it out,” said senior Watson. “Some days it’s upbeat, others it’s slower. That’s the fun part; we don’t really mind.”
The total focus is exactly what UA coach Fred Harvey wants from his athletes.
Watson will have more than music to contend with Friday. The UA senior will run the 400 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas. Joining Watson at the Indoors are teammates seniors Lisanne Hagens and Aaron Castle, junior Claire Green and freshman Justice Summerset.
Watson claimed a personal record with 52.00-second mark at the Don Kirby Collegiate Invitational Feb. 11. The goal Friday is to make the finals and finish in the top eight.
“My favorite part of the 400 meters is the grit and heart,” said Watson. “It’s not an easy race. It’s fast, but it’s not over — there’s still the struggle coming home. It’s you against yourself pushing through the pain. This is not the fun part, but it’s why I enjoy it. It’s a tough competition. I know I will run my best and they will run their best. We always go out to win the race, even if there are people faster than you in the heat.”
Watson has been training for the 400 meters by running the 500. Harvey said the longer distance gives Watson “mental focus to maintain speed for a longer time.”
It’s also the race that stands out in Watson’s indoor season. She set a new NCAA 500-meter record at the Armory Invitational on Feb. 3. All of her training marks indicated she was ready to break the mark of 1:08.70, set by Penn State’s Shana Cox in 2010.
“Initially coach came up to me and pulled me aside and said ‘You know, you could break the NCAA record,’” Watson said. “Then I broke it by a decent amount and realized what I am doing in preparation for the outdoor season is working. We both knew I could do this, but couldn’t say for sure that it would happen on any given day.”
Watson’s time: 1:08.40.
The mark was the fastest NCAA time, the fastest time on American soil and the fastest Canadian time in history. One week later, Courtney Okolo ran 1:07.34 at the NYRR Millrose Games to set an American record. Watson still holds the NCAA and Canadian marks.
Watson holds no grudges. She’s friends with Okolo, an Olympic gold medalist.
Plus, she said, “I still hold the NCAA record.”
Tuning out all the noise Friday is something that is now second nature to Watson. She competed in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics for Canada, where she finished fourth in the 4x400 relay and 11th in the 400-meter hurdles. She will compete in both events in the upcoming outdoor season.
“It gives you confidence competing at the highest level of the Olympic Games,” said Watson. “I know I can do it. I realized my passion for track and it was exciting representing my country. Finally walking into the stadium and seeing the rings it was an ‘aha!’ moment. ‘Oh, I’m here.’”
Harvey said he’s savoring his final months with his senior star.
“It’s a real honor to coach someone with the ability and work ethic to compete at that level,” said Harvey. “She buys into the process of her development. I am challenging her to do the best she can. The goal is for her to be one of the best.”
