Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
NAME: Cole Watson
PARENTS’ NAMES: Melissa Griffin and Gregg Watson
SIBLINGS (names, ages): Aidan (16) and Claire (12)
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Science or math
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? When I have free time, I’m usually running, eating, sleeping, or catching up with friends.
FAVORITE FOOD: Pasta
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: I don’t have a certain artist or group, but I like to listen to classic rock or alternative rock.
FAVORITE MOVIE: American Sniper
FAVORITE TV SHOW: Walking Dead
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? My bicycle
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I am getting my basics done probably at U of A and then completing medical school.
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? HOW HAVE THEY INFLUECED YOU? Both my coach and my youth pastor have really influenced my life. I met them in 10th grade and before them, I didn’t care about anything, but with a lot of encouragement, I have become more outgoing.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY: The team bonding and the competition
WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO A RACE (Strategy/Preparation)? I always eat pasta the night before, then a peanut butter sandwich two or three hours before the race. I always run with my pack, Derek Vos and Eric Stewart. We go fast at the beginning, a little slower the middle mile, then speed up almost as fast as we can go for the last one. At the beginning of the finish chute, we sprint with whatever we have left. I always have to wear my spikes in a race.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? I am glad that I am able to score for the team, but I also feel like I could have worked even harder over the summer than I did.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO THE SEASON? That I was able to run at Chile Pepper and that I got a PR under 18:00 for the first time.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH RUNNING CROSS COUNTRY AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? My teammates supporting me and getting to know them better. My coach really believed in me and pushed me to get where I am now from where I started.
