March 14, 2007
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It may have taken a couple of extra days to confirm, but Notre Dame junior distance runner Jake Watson (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area) is officially an All-American. The Irish track standout earned the honor earlier this week after finishing 10th in the mile run at last weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., completing the event in 4:03.97. According to the rules of the United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), the top eight finishers in each event, as well as the top eight American finishers, are awarded All-America status. Watson was the eighth U.S.-born runner to cross the line, securing his first career All-America certificate.
The announcement also resulted in a bit of history being made, as Watson and his brother, Luke, are the first siblings in the 117-year history of the Notre Dame track & field program to be recognized as All-Americans. Luke Watson, who currently serves on the Irish distance coaching staff, was a six-time track & field All-American during his storied career from 1999-2002.
Notre Dame will begin the outdoor portion of its 2007 track & field schedule Friday and Saturday when it sends a handful of athletes to Conway, S.C., for the Coastal Carolina Shamrock Invitational.
— ND —