Josh
Watson Biography
Magnolia
High / (Class of 1999) New Martinsville, WV
Classification:
AA
Specialty:
Distance
College
of William & Mary / Williamsburg, Virginia
Joshua Watson (born June 7, 1980) attended Magnolia High
School in New Martinsville, West Virginia from 1996-1999. He was a three-time
Class AA-A West Virginia individual state cross country champion as a sophomore,
junior, senior while leading his team to a state title in 1996.
He was a seven-time state champion in track and field
while leading the Blue Eagles to a state title in 1999. He won six individual
state track titles during his high school running career. He took home two high
point honors as a junior and senior. He also ran a leg for Magnolia’s winning
4x800-meter relay quartet.
Watson was offered a scholarship at the College of
William & Mary, where he competed on the Men’s Track & Field team.
High
School:
[Sophomore
Year]
During the fall cross country season, Josh Watson raced
to the Class AA-A individual West Virginia state championship at Elkins with a
time of 18:09, leading the Blue Eagles to a state title as a team with 45
points. He is a First Team All-State selection.
[Junior
Year]
During the fall cross country season, Josh Watson raced
to his second straight Class AA-A individual West Virginia high school state championship
at Elkins with a time of 17:55, leading the Blue Eagles to a fifth-place finish
as a team with 128 points. The state’s returning cross country champion, also
won the AA-A Region I championship at Grand Vue Park (Moundsville), breaking
the tape in 18:20. He led his team to a Regional title with 27 points.
At the West Virginia State Track & Field Meet, Magnolia’s
Josh Watson won the 800m (1:58.58), 1600m (4:26.96), and 3200m (9:46.60) and
was part of their winning 4x800-meter relay squad (8:08.15). Even though
Magnolia’s distance runner Josh Watson was dominant by scoring 32.5 points,
this Blue Eagle squad lost to Winfield, 80 to 95.5 respectively. Watson took
home high point honors for the meets best performer.
Watson had the Top Track Performances of 1998 in the 800m
(1:58.58), 1600m (4:25.26), 3200m (9:45.16), and 4x800 Relay (8:08.15).
[Senior
Year]
At
the West Virginia State Track & Field Meet, Josh Watson completed the
triple crown in the 800m (1:55.64), 1600m (4:24.92), and 3200m (9:41.94) and
was part of the Blue Eagles runner-up 4x800-meter relay squad (8:22.29). He
helped lead his team to a title with 111 points while earning high point honors
with 32 points.
Watson
had the Top Track Performances of 1999 in the 800m (1:55.64), 1600m (4:24.92),
and 3200m (9:41.94).
During
Watson’s high school career (1996-1999), he scored a total of sixty-four and a
half points at the West Virginia State Meet.
High School Running Resume:
State Final PR's:
XC –
16:08.00
800
Meter Run – 1:55.64
1600
Meter Run – 4:24.92
3200
Meter Run – 9:41.94
High
Point – 32.5
State Titles:
1996
- XC
1997
- XC
1998
– XC, 800M, 1600M, 3200M, 4x800 Relay, High Point
1999
– 800M, 1600M, 3200M, High Point
Other State Places:
1999
- 4x800 Relay (2nd)
State Meet All-Time Lists:
2nd
AA-A Boys All Time 800 Meters
1st
1990's AA-A Boys 800 Meters
2nd
1990's AA-A Boys 1600 Meters
9th
AA-A Boys All Time 4x800 Relay
2nd
and 5th 1990's AA-A Boys 4x800 Relay
[College]
Josh
Watson attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia
from 2000-2003. He was coached by Andrew Gerard who was the Men’s Head Track &
Field Coach. Watson ran middle distance for the Men’s Track & Field team
and competed on some distance relays. Watson competed numerous times at the
IC4A level.
Watson
was named to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-District III Men's Track/Cross
Country University Division Team and he was named to the 2003 Virginia Sports
In-formation Directors Academic All-State team. The biology major held a GPA
over a 3.9 while excelling on the track. A three-time IC4A qualifier, Watson
was a member of the All-East DMR that finished third at the IC4A Indoor
Championships, as well as being on the fourth-place 4x800 relay squad at the
IC4A Outdoor Championships to again earn All-East honors. He also qualified for
the IC4A Indoor meet in the 1000m event. Watson was the winner of the Robert
Usry Award, which goes to the W&M athlete with the highest GPA. He was a
member of the Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta
Kappa and Golden Key honor societies.
2000 Track Season (Top
Performances):
1000
Meter Run – 2:32.23 (Indoors)
1
Mile Run – 4:20.42 (Indoors)
4x800
Meter Relay – 7:41.61 (Indoors)
4000
Meter Distance Medley Relay – 10:25.47 (Indoors)
2001 Track Season (Top
Performances):
800
Meter Run – 1:56.02 (Indoors)
1000
Meter Run – 2:33.78 (Indoors)
4x800
Meter Relay – 8:00.13 (Indoors)
4000
Meter Distance Medley Relay – 9:58.67 (Indoors)
2002 Track Season (Top
Performances):
1000
Meter Run – 2:29.88 (Indoors)
1
Mile Run – 4:17.87 (Indoors)
4x800
Meter Relay – 8:00.13 (Indoors)
4000
Meter Distance Medley Relay – 9:58.67 (Indoors)
800
Meter Run - 1:57.83 (Outdoors)
4x800
Meter Relay – 7:43.35 (Outdoors)
2003 Track Season (Top
Performances):
800
Meter Run – 1:56.10 (Indoors)
1000
Meter Run – 2:28.91 (Indoors)
4000
Meter Distance Medley Relay – 9:59.93 (Indoors)
800
Meter Run - 1:55.32 (Outdoors)
1500
Meter Run – 3:57.12 (Outdoors)
4x800m
Relay – 7:33.28 (Outdoors)
4000
Meter Distance Medley Relay – 9:59.27 (Outdoors)
Submitted
by Coach Mike McMillion (03/15/2018)