FORMER East Jackson Comprehensive High School track standout Brooklyn Watkins was named to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II All-Southeast Region team this past week for being the region’s top women’s pole vaulter for the indoor season.
Watkins, a member of the Anderson University women’s track team, set the school’s women’s indoor pole vault record at 9’ 6.25”.
She also set two new school records in the first meet of the outdoor season, taking third in both the pole vault (9’0”) and javelin (111’ 9”) in a meet in Hickory, N.C. While the outdoor pole vault record did not surprise the coaching staff, her breaking the Anderson University javelin record was a surprise given she had never seen or thrown a javelin until three days before the meet and had a hurt ankle. She entered the event mainly to get a distance to help toward the heptathlon later in the season (the javelin is one of the seven events that make up the heptathlon).
“It was not bad for the third time picking up the jav and only using a three-step because of a sore ankle,” Anderson University throws coach Frank Grand said of her performance. “Can’t wait to see what she does with more practice and a full run on a healed ankle.”
Watkin’s next meet is Friday at the Coastal Carolina Invitational in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
