Samantha Watson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Samantha Watson

Watson in 2018
Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1999-11-10) November 10, 1999 (age 25) Rochester, New York, U.S.
Education	Temple University
Height	5 ft 10 in
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	800 metres, Mile
College team	Texas A&M '19 Rush-Henrietta Senior High School 2017
Turned pro	2019
Coached by	Jebreh Harris
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	400 m: 52.69 (2015) 800 m: 1:59.96 (2024) 1500 m: 4:21.45 (2018)
Medal record Women's athletics Representing the  United States IAAF World U20 Championships 2018 Tampere 800 m Gold 2016 Bydgoszcz 4x400 m Gold 2016 Bydgoszcz 800 m IAAF World U18 Championships Gold 2015 Cali 800 m Gold 2015 Cali M4x400 m

Samantha "Sammy" Watson (born November 10, 1999) is an American middle-distance runner. She is known for her amazing speed in races like the 800 meters. Sammy has won many awards and set records since she was a young runner. She comes from New York.

Sammy Watson's Running Journey

Sammy Watson has had an impressive career in track and field. She has competed in many important races both in the United States and around the world.

Early Achievements and World Titles

Sammy started making a name for herself very early. In 2015, when she was just 15 years old, she became a world champion! She won the 800-meter race at the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia. She also helped her team win gold in the mixed 4x400 meter relay at the same event.

In 2016, Sammy continued her success. She won two more gold medals at the World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. She won the 800 meters again and was part of the winning 4x400 meter relay team. This showed she was one of the best young runners in the world.

Setting National Records

Sammy Watson also set new records while she was still in high school. In 2017, she broke the national high school record for the 1,000 meters indoors. She ran it in 2 minutes and 40.72 seconds. She also broke the 800-meter national high school record, which had been set way back in 1974! Her time of 2:01.78 was also a U.S. Junior record.

Competing at National Championships

Sammy has competed in many USA Track and Field Championships. These events bring together the best runners in the country. She has consistently placed well in the 800-meter race. For example, she finished fourth at the 2020 USA Indoor Championships. She also placed sixth at the 2019 USA Outdoor Championships.

Representing the  United States
IAAF Championships
2018	2018 IAAF World Junior (U20) Championships	11th	800 m	2:03.95
2016	2016 IAAF World Junior (U20) Championships	1st	800 m	2:04.52
		1st	4x400 m	3:29.11
2015	2015 IAAF World Youth (U18) Championships	1st	800 m	2:03.54
		1st	Mixed 4 × 400 metres relay	3:19.54
USA Track and Field Championships
Representing Adidas
2023	2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships	7th	800 m	2:02.07
	2023 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships	6th	800 m	2:03.04
2022	2022 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships	10th	800 m	2:00.90
	2022 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships	6th	800 m	2:03.92
2021	2020 United States Olympic Trials	31st	800 m	2:03.83
2020	2020 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships	4th	800 m	2:04.11
2019	2019 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships	6th	800 m	2:01.70
Representing Texas A&M University
2018	USA Junior (U20) Outdoor Track and Field Championships	1st	800 m	2:01.46
Representing Rush-Henrietta High School
2017	2017 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships	6th	800 m	2:00.99
	2017 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships	4th	1000 m	2:40.72
2016	USA Junior (U20) Outdoor Track and Field Championships	1st	800 m	2:02.91
2015	USA Junior (U18) Outdoor Track and Field Championships	1st	800 m	2:01.46
2014	USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships	3rd	400 m	54.94
		2nd	800 m	2:06.35

College Running at Texas A&M

Sammy Watson also ran for Texas A&M University in college. She continued to excel there. In 2018, she won the 800 meters at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. This is a huge achievement for college athletes. She also won the 800 meters at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Outdoor Championships that same year.

Sammy set a new school record at Texas A&M for the 1,000 meters indoors. She ran it in 2 minutes and 42.12 seconds. This time also ranked her seventh on the all-time list for college indoor runners.

High School Highlights

Before college, Sammy Watson was a star at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School. Her best time in the 800 meters was 2:00.65. This is one of the fastest times ever for a high school girl in the United States. She also set national high school records in the 600 meters and 1,000 meters indoors.

Sammy competed in big events like the Prefontaine Classic and the Arcadia Invitational. She often raced against professional athletes even while still in high school. In 2017, she won the 800 meters title at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor.

See also

In Spanish: Samantha Watson para niños