STATE FINALS -- Junior Brad Watson finished off one of the finest seasons that any athlete has had in Lutheran West history yesterday when he crossed the line in the State Track Meet 800 meter run.  His time of 1:58.84 was the second best time that he has ever run in the 800, and was good enough to finish 10th in the state. 

Watson’s season began with relatively little fanfare.  Known around school as a top notch student, a hard worker, and a good wrestler, Watson had contributed to varsity football at West as the team’s place kicker and little else as a sophomore.  He was slated to be a starter on the team, but after three games quickly was thrust into the starting quarterback roll when junior James Ranc, junior Marcus Spelich, and freshman Austin Helmink all went down with season ending injuries.  Watson not only had to learn a brand new roll, he had to run the entire offense, and had to do so behind a suspect offensive line. 

Yet Watson didn’t just run the offense, he quickly became the offense, leading the team in both passing yards (175) and rushing yards (625), including a the team’s longest run of 74.  Watson earned the team MVP award and first team all PAC-10.

As soon as the football season ended, Watson moved on to wrestling.  It didn’t take long for Watson to show his strength, as the 125 pounder finished no lower than third in his weight class in every regular season tournament for the entire year.  He placed second in the conference meet and fourth in the 125 pound division in sectionals, qualifying for the regional tournament.  Watson was named team MVP in wrestling.

Watson then shifted gears again to track, and started to learn the 800 meter race.  Never having run the 800 meter before this year, Watson still won the conference race by a full two seconds running a 2:02.22.  After qualifying for regionals by running a 2:02:81 and placing third, Watson then destroyed his own PR and the school’s 800 meter record with a stunning 1:57.52 in the regional meet in Navarre, qualifying him for the State Meet in Columbus.  Watson was named team MVP for men’s track.

Watson’s year culminated with being named Longhorn Athlete of the Year at the year end sports banquet.