Local Athletes Compete at AAU Nationals

Last week, athletes from the local Kinetic Speed team competed at the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) Track and Field Junior Olympics at North Carolina A&T. The Sun had run a preview of Coach Thomas Watson’s team last month as they prepared to make the trek to Greensboro, North Carolina. Six of his tracksters competed at the weeklong event:

Deaijah Tullis (Springstead) – High Jump 4’11” (25th), 100 Hurdles 16.99 (65th), Triple Jump 33’-10” (59th)
Chadiell Echavarria (Springstead) – High Jump 1.75M (53rd), Triple Jump 12.84M (44th)
Kason O’Neil (Nature Coast)– 800M (2:08, 82nd)
Xylus Pastrana (Springstead) – Long Jump (21’, 46th)
Jaxson Nichols (Springstead) – 110M Hurdles (15.75, 55th)
Brayden Barrett (Nature Coast), Kason, Xylus, and Jaxson – 4×400 (3:38, 53rd)

In preparation for the Junior Olympics, the team trained at various locations around the county. Most of Kinetic Speed’s work was done at Veteran’s Memorial Park, but the squad also utilized Tom Varn Park’s volleyball pits to hone their abilities in the long jump, triple jump, and plyometrics.

Springstead Athletic Director Matt McGarry even worked with Watson’s athletes by permitting them to use the school’s high jump equipment on certain days.

Coach Watson hopes to be able to work out an arrangement with more local high schools moving forward to assist his burgeoning team. Though none of his competitors placed in the tournament, Watson was pleased with their performances, with Tullis standing out in particular.

“All of my athletes performed well, I’m proud of how they kept their composure against some of the best America had to offer,” he noted. “In particular, Deaijah’s tenacity stood out to me on our final day in Greensboro. She had a minor injury competing in the 100 Hurdles prior to competing in the High Jump. I gave her the option to scratch out, however she decided to continue to compete and placed the highest amongst the team.”

This is Watson’s third outing at an AAU sanctioned event as a coach and eleventh overall as a coach or player. Having competed as a multi-sport athlete for Springstead, the coach has had the opportunity to experience how the game has evolved and how it has remained the same since his time as an Eagle. Earlier this week, the track and field coach delved further into the team’s trip to Greensboro and his experience as an athlete.

Would you be able to describe the experience of attending these events?
“These events are akin to the State Championship in terms of atmosphere,” said Watson. “Since I’ve competed nothing has changed about the spirit of the event. From the 8 and under division to the 17-18yr old division you get to witness incredible feats you wouldn’t get the chance to see on a normal basis. In terms of coaching, I’ve noticed that quite a few local communities that are small in stature band together to create super teams so to speak. The best athletes in the area all under one umbrella despite the school they go to. For example, there were multiple clubs with an A Team and a B Team in the relay races for Nationals. Not only that, the opportunity to medal and become an All-American becomes much easier with a supporting cast.”

How has it changed from when you went as a player to now coaching at these competitions?
“For me as an athlete, I had to travel to Clearwater, Fl competing for the Blazin Ravenz to do something similar,” Watson said. “Our 4×400 team consisted of Tyler Ross (Mitchell High School), Jezreel Saunders (Dunedin High School), and Davie Vera (South Sumter High School). I reference my former team due to it being in Pinellas County and myself living in Hernando County. My teammates were lacking the same representation, and we found that opportunity in an unknown place. I say all of this because I want to do more than just get an athlete to Nationals, I want to make All-Americans.”