May 25, 2007
Results
Rhonda Watkins had a stellar afternoon in Eugene, OR at the NCAA West Region Championships as the sophomore posted the No. 2 mark in the world this year (22-4.25, wind-legal) to win the long jump competition.
That mark breaks the nearly 20-year old Pac-10 record set back in 1988 by former Bruin Gail Devers (22-2.50) and moves her to No. 2 all-time behind UCLA great Jackie Joyner-Kersee (23-9). The mark also breaks Watkins' own West Region record (21-6), which she jumped in 2006 to win the regional title. It also gives her the World Championships qualifying mark.
On the game plan for today's competition - "I was definitely trying to PR. I was also thinking about getting my qualifier for the World Championships."
On the winning mark - I didn't think it was that far because it didn't feel like the best jump. I'm happy it didn't feel like a big deal because I know I can do better."
Jumps Coach Mike Powell on Watkins only taking three of her six jumps - "The goal here is to qualify for nationals.That's the main reason we are here. The goal coming in was to jump 6.80m and she did that. You risk injury for no reason if you keep going. So we stopped after the prelim round. Now not ony is she qualified for NCAA's, but Worlds, and we have to be careful with what we do."
Powell on Watkins bouncing back from a third-place finish
