The Chico State women’s track & field team has established a long history of outstanding distance runners, with 23 All-America efforts in the last 12 years. Based on her performances so far in 2014, it’s quite possible that Olivia Watt could soon join this select group. The sophomore from Los Osos has won or finished second in five races so far this season, and last Saturday at the Johnny Mathis Invitational Watt extended her level of excellence, winning the 800-meter run and crashing the Chico State record books in the 1,500-meter run. Her fleet feet – and tremendous times – make Watt the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Watt turned in a solid time of 2:14.42 in taking top honors in the 800-meter run, but it was her fourth place finish in the 1,500-meter run that made fans at San Francisco State’s Cox Stadium sit up and take notice. Watt’s time of 4:28.90 not only netted an NCAA Provisional Qualifying mark, but went down as the third-fastest time in the event in Chico State history.
Watt has now chalked up two NCAA Provisional Qualifying marks this season in hopes of earning a trip to Allendale, Mich. in May to compete at the NCAA Track & Field Championships. Back on Mar. 15, Watt ran a 2:12.55 to win the 800-meter run at Chico State’s own Wildcat Invitational.
Watt and the rest of the Wildcat women’s track & field team is back in action this Saturday, hosting the Chico State Four-Year Invitational at University Stadium.
