Watson pursuing Canadian record in 400-meter hurdles after opening outdoor season with PR in 400

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

America’s Finest City could play host to the finest women’s 400-meter hurdles race ever by a Canadian female athlete Saturday at the 40th annual Aztec Invitational at San Diego State.

Sage Watson, a NIKE professional athlete and sixth-place finisher at the IAAF World Outdoor Championships in August, looks to make her first trip to San Diego a memorable one by challenging the Canadian 400 hurdles record of 54.39 seconds set in 1996 by Rosey Edeh.

“I feel very strong and ready to compete,” said Watson, an Arizona graduate who ran a personal-best 54.52 to win the NCAA Division 1 title last year.

“I’m looking forward to doing something special in the 400 hurdles.”

Watson, 23, already boasts Canadian national indoor records in the 300 (37.08) and 500 (1:08.40), the former set Feb. 3 at the NYRR Millrose Games and the latter produced last year at The Armory Track Invitational, both in New York.

But the 2013 Pan Am U20 champion and Olympic semifinalist in Rio de Janeiro is motivated to secure her first Canadian outdoor record in her final tuneup before competing April 11-12 at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

“I feel that if I am strong in my race and it’s a good day, anything can happen,” said Watson, who opened her outdoor season Saturday at the Willie Williams Classic in Tucson by winning the 400 meters in a personal-best 51.62.

“I’m just hoping for a fast, healthy race.”

Watson headlines a meet that also includes Botswana’s Nijel Amos and American Charles Jock competing in the men’s 400, as well as American Harun Abda in the 800.

Oregon will be making its outdoor debut, led by redshirt junior Ariana Washington, the 2016 NCAA Division 1 100 and 200 champion, in the 100 and 4x100 relay. Junior Alaysha Johnson is entered in the 100 hurdles and 200 for the Ducks.

Oklahoma has Ama Pipi entered in the women’s 200, in addition to fellow seniors Leya Buchanan in the 100 and Jessica Woodard in the shot put.

Cal State L.A. fifth-year senior Khallifah Rosser, the 2016 NCAA Division 2 champion in the men’s 400 hurdles who was sidelined with injuries last season, is also scheduled to compete, along with UC Santa Barbara senior Jenna Hinkle in the women’s 800 and 1,500.