Record runs link Watson and Miller once again

After sweeping gold and silver medals in women’s 800 at World U-20 Championships in Poland, American teenagers produce historic results on same day in separate indoor meets

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Sammy Watson and Aaliyah Miller stood side by side on the Zdzislaw Krzyszkowiak Stadium track July 21 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, holding their American flags and celebrating the first gold and silver sweep by the United States in the women’s 800 meters at the IAAF World U-20 Championships.

Seven months later, Miller and Watson were making history again, this time at different levels and in separate events, nearly 600 miles apart. But the friends and roommates in Poland remained connected by their record-setting performances Jan. 21 and linked by the opportunities to lead American women’s middle distance running into the future.

Watson, a senior at Rush-Henrietta NY, set the national high school indoor record in the 600 meters by clocking 1 minute, 28.67 seconds at the Section 5 vs. Section 6 – Battle of the West Invitational in her home state.

Miller, a Baylor freshman, set the college freshman indoor record in the women’s 800 with her 2:03.43 effort at the Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational in Kentucky.

It didn’t take long for the good news to travel, especially with U.S. Under-20 team members always staying in contact via a group message thread and sending birthday wishes throughout the year.

“I sent Sammy a text a congratulating her on her awesome performance,” Miller said. “She’s such a hard worker. I’m happy she got that record.”

It was the first of several potential national indoor records this year for Watson, who also has the ability to challenge all-time prep marks in the 800 and 1,000 meters, and the start of a memorable college career for Miller.

“It was weird in a good way that we both did big things this past weekend. I’m happy she’s been so successful so far,” Watson said. “Having Aaliyah as a competitor and then a teammate has been great. I’ve ran my best 800 races with her and I think we bring out the best in each other.”

Although Watson’s performance occurred at a low-key competition at Houghton College, Miller’s effort came with several American teammates from Poland in attendance at Nutter Field House in Lexington, including USC freshman Anna Cockrell and fellow Baylor standouts Taylor Bennett and Wil London III. (Editor's note: Miller had the collegiate lead until Oregon’s Raevyn Rogers ran 2:01.75 in her indoor opener at the Columbia East-West Challenge).

“That’s the best thing about teams,” Cockrell said. “It’s always so good to see your teammates. It’s always great to have those mini-reunions.”

Along with the support and recognition from friends and family, perhaps no one was prouder of what Watson and Miller accomplished than U.S. Under-20 national team coach Lisa Morgan.

“I was ecstatic when I heard then news. I was just overjoyed,” Morgan said. “I was so humbled and blessed to able to work with the two of them.”

Morgan had a track-side view for their thrilling showdown June 25 in the U.S. Junior Outdoor Championships at Buchanan High’s Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, Calif., with both athletes running personal bests as Watson prevailed in 2:02.91 and Miller clocked 2:02.96.

After watching Watson win a World Youth 800 gold medal in 2015 in Colombia, Morgan then witnessed her capturing the U-20 title a year later in 2:04.52 in Poland, followed by Miller taking runner-up in 2:05.06.

“From getting through the trials in Clovis and being connected as roommates, they bonded from there,” Morgan said. “Then in the final, knocking out that one-two punch for the U.S. and getting those medals, it’s cool to see their chemistry and their connection as teammates. It’s rare you see that kind of bond. They sincerely care about each other and they sincerely want the best for each other.”

Although they wanted to achieve the same goal in Bydgoszcz, it didn’t prevent Miller and Watson from becoming each other’s strongest support system.

Completing the transition from being a Texas state champion at McKinney Boyd to making her international debut became more comfortable for Miller having competed three times in a six-week span against Watson, including the 800 at the Brooks PR Invitational in Washington.

“It was fun being able to room with her, as it started to relieve the pressure of racing at such a high level,” Miller said. “It was nice to have someone there with you, going through the rounds and to talk to about the upcoming races.”

Following a limited cross country schedule in the fall, competing in four races from 3 miles to 6 kilometers, Miller put in two months of impressive training in preparation for the first indoor track season of her career.

After a 2:06.60 opener in the 800 in her debut Jan. 14 at the Texas A&M Team Invitational, Miller ran the second-fastest time in Baylor history at Rod McCravy – trailing Olicia Williams’ 2:03.21 in 2015 – and became the No. 4 all-time American Junior indoor performer behind only Mary Decker (2:01.8), Ajee’ Wilson (2:02.64) and Mary Cain (2:02.75), just a few hours after Watson’s record run.

“That day was pretty special for the both of us,” Miller said. “Track and field has allowed me to make so many valuable friendships all over the country. I’m glad we got to know each other off the track. We made a lot of fun memories together.”

Miller will return Feb. 3-4 to College Station, site of the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 10-11, for the Texas A&M Charlie Thomas Invitational, followed by a trip Feb. 10-11 to the Randal Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., in preparation for her debut Feb. 24-25 at the Big 12 Championships at Iowa State.

A potential showdown with Oklahoma State senior Kaela Edwards – the reigning NCAA indoor mile champion and collegiate record holder in the 1,000 – awaits Miller at the conference or national finals, with the promising freshman excited about racing the accomplished veteran.

“That would be such a fast race,” Miller said. “As Coach (Todd) Harbour told me when I first arrived at Baylor, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’ I do believe that racing against Sammy pushed me to achieve times I could rarely accomplish alone. Those races were very tactical, and sometimes they were fast, and sometimes they weren’t. But no matter what the outcome was, each one was a learning experience.”

Morgan knows how important the opportunities to race internationally have been in elevating Watson’s talent, so the veteran coach was excited to see such a significant performance from Miller this early in her college career building off her success in Poland.

“The 800 is such a grueling race, but Aaliyah has been running beautifully and it’s been a joy to watch her growth and savviness,” Morgan said. “Last year was a breakout year for her performing as well as she did. It really struck fire to her career, so I’m glad to see that it’s continuing. It speaks volumes to her future and the future of the 800.”

But the female runner with perhaps the most impressive versatility when it comes to American teenagers is Watson, who possesses track range from 300 meters to the mile, in addition to running cross country for five years for Rush-Henrietta.

“No one knows how truly talented she is. Her potential is limitless,” Morgan said. “I don’t think people really appreciate the range she has and her capabilities are all at high national levels. It doesn’t matter if it’s the 400, the 800, the mile or cross country, she is truly talented in whatever she does.

“She’s just beginning to scratch the surface of what she can accomplish. She’s that next thing. She’s truly the next one.”

Watson has the opportunity to run another personal best Saturday in the 800 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix at Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston, competing against a field that includes 2015 World Champion Maria Arzamasova of Belarus. The next challenge for Watson will be to join Miller by breaking 2:04 in the indoor 800 and pull closer to Decker’s 1974 standard, the longest-standing mark of all national high school indoor records. (Editor's note: Watson ran an indoor personal-best 2:03.94).

“I’m glad other people believe I have a strong future with running because I want to continue it for as long as I can,” Watson said. “It’s very inspiring.”

Watson is also scheduled to compete Feb. 3-4 in the 600 against Wilson – the No. 2 American all-time at 1:25.23 – and Suffern NY senior Kamryn McIntosh, the former national indoor record holder, at The Armory Track Invitational.

“I feel good about where my strength is right now from these previous races, but every meet is a new chance to prove myself,” Watson said. “Anything can happen and I will still be nervous.”

After thriving on the biggest stage of their young careers to deliver historic outdoor performances in Poland, Miller and Watson again demonstrated their abilities to manage the nerves facing new tests on the indoor track.

Although their paths likely won’t cross again until June at the U.S. Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, Morgan knows barring injury, Miller and Watson will be ready to handle whatever challenges are placed in front of them just like they did seven months ago.

“The international experience for all these young athletes is like no other in terms of their learning curve,” Morgan said. “It speaks volumes to where we’re going as a country, showing that we’re coming back strong in the middle distances. These two, plus many others coming along with them, will continue to be forces to be reckoned with on the world stage.”

Just like receiving recognition and positive feedback from her Under-20 teammates, hearing Morgan’s inspirational words provided the necessary motivation for Miller to make sure she is prepared for the next big opportunity, whether that be for Baylor or Team USA.

“When I hear that I’m in disbelief. Just seeing the improvements Sammy and I have made in such a short time is crazy to me,” Miller said. “It’s very encouraging hearing that from Coach Morgan, making me even more determined and excited about the upcoming track season.”