 NEWS PHOTO SEAN ROONEY - Sage Watson (centre) is surrounded by Hat High staff and her family Wednesday as she signs her National Letter of Intent to go to Florida State University. |
SEAN ROONEY
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There was a giant cake, roses, official papers to sign and a crowd of well-wishers.
Cameras flashed, kind words were said and a new chapter in a young girl's life took shape.
But instead of a wedding dress, Sage Watson wore a garnet and gold Florida State University hoodie Wednesday as she said "I do" to the next level of her track and field career.
"I think it really hit me today, this is a commitment I'm making," said Watson, flanked by her parents, school staff and teammates in Medicine Hat High School's North Gym. "I got really excited and nervous about it today.
"You go through decisions in life, big choices, and I think this is one of those."
The Grade 12 sprinter finalized her National Letter of Intent on the opening day of signing for track and field in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, a largely symbolic gesture for a decision she made weeks ago.
Then again, do you remember the proposal or the wedding?
FSU coaches were thrilled to have her.
"We think she's supremely talented," said Ken Harnden, the women's sprint coach for the Seminoles and a former Olympian himself. "It's hugely exciting."
Harnden met Watson at the IAAF World Youth Championships in France last year, where the Seven Persons native helped Canada to bronze in a relay and was in line for a medal in the 400 metre hurdles before hitting the final hurdle. A former 400 metre hurdler for Zimbabwe, he couldn't help but notice her maturity and talent.
"We've made an attempt to pick up the best athletes possible, but also the best people," said Harnden. "She's very talented athletically, she's a very bright young lady... and she's a super human being in general."
Other universities noticed, too. Watson visited three of them last fall, and Arizona State was still trying to change her mind recently.
Watson's story started on gravel roads in Seven Persons, but when the Rotary Track was built in Medicine Hat for the 2008 Alberta Summer Games it was perfect timing for her burgeoning interest in the sport. She started making provincial, then national teams, and now trains with a team in Calgary during the indoor season.
Her decision to go to Hat High, then stay there for three years instead of moving to Calgary spoke to the level of support she had from the entire community.
"Her confidence is inspiring," said her friend and teammate, Danielle Fernetti.
"Hopefully it will start a wave of what we'd like to see in the future for this community," added Hat High track coach Glen Mori. "It's a phenomenal experience for us to be a part of."
It clearly paid off, but there's still a full outdoor season to go, plus another world championships in Spain before Watson's NCAA career begins. This weekend she heads to a meet in Winnipeg, and she'll look to defend provincial high school titles in the 100, 200 and 400 metre sprints this summer.
"I'm really looking forward to it, we have a chance at a provincial banner," said Watson. "Just going out, having the team here is great."
