Senior Spotlight: Katie Watson and Jayman Peterson
4/7/2020 1:17:00 PM | Men's Track and Field
Twice weekly we will highlight spring sport senior athletes on their careers at Saint Mary's.
Two of the most personable Gaels were in the middle of their senior seasons when it was halted due to the NCAA and Saint Mary's responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not being able to resume their seasons, both Katie Watson and Jayman Peterson both reflected on successful careers as Gaels, and both spoke glowingly about how 2020 was unfolding on the track.
Watson was a standout three-sport athlete at Catalina Foothills High School in Tuscon, Arizona, where she ran cross country, track, and also was a member of the state-championship-winning tennis team. A four-year Gael, Watson was a part of so many big moments for the Gaels, including helping Saint Mary's earn their best finish in the WCC Cross Country Championships since 2001 (back in 2018).
It was on a cross country trail that she found her favorite memory as a Gael, citing the 2017 trip to Notre Dame, Indiana. Yes, that Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish and the Joe Piane Invitational that the Gaels participated in on September 29, 2017. Before then, I had never been to the Midwest, so it was eye-opening to see that part of the country," Watson remembers. "We got to explore Chicago on our last day there and went to a well-known donut shop before we jumped on the plane to head back to California!"
Watson had been a member of four year's-worth of Gaels teams, but she had a really special feeling about the 2020 version. "This year's team gelled together extremely well," Watson said about her teammates. "This is the deepest our team has ever been and having more people provides the opportunity for many different types of personalities to mesh together. I cherished every minute I got to spend with my teammates since I knew it would be my last season."
While there wasn't enough time to build on her track success from 2019, Watson enjoyed her best season as a Gael in 2019 when she set a pair of personal records in the 3000m and 5000m races. Her 3000m performance came at the West Coast Invitational in February and her record in the 5000m was at the Warrior Last Chance Meet in May, earning a fourth-place finish overall.
Despite those accomplishments, Watson recognizes the importance of her performance off the track and in the classroom, where her most special accomplishments have come. "Obtaining over a 3.8 GPA and an internship/job at Travelers (insurance) in Walnut Creek," mentions Watson as her most cherished accomplishments.
Peterson is more of local ilk, coming to Saint Mary's from Fairfield and spending four years as a Gael. Peterson enjoyed his breakout campaign during the 2017-18 school year, where all of his personal records in both cross country and track stand, including faster times during every single event. Going beyond just competing, one could often find Peterson with a camera around his neck, pressed up against his eyes as he shoots photos for his teammates, often used for publications on SMCGaels.com.
The journey across college and sports has been special to Peterson, and the shortening of his senior season brought that into focus. "Once it was announced, I cried and it took me an hour to really get myself together," admitted Peterson following the news. "A few days later I pinned my 'Dear Track' letter to my social media's as a way for me to remember all of the journey I've been a part of. While it's been very hard coping that the work going into this season isn't going to result in competing one last time, I have found peace in that I gave this sport my all. More than anything this year was more about going out properly in the effort I gave other than any accolades or awards."
That mindset is what positions Peterson well for success beyond Saint Mary's, where he finds that no physical award or accomplishment separates itself from what he finds most valuable at Saint Mary's. "Initially when I came here, in my mind it was all about having the opportunity to continue my athletics," admitted Peterson. "As I've challenged myself to really grow as a person though I've appreciated the small school environment. I have been able to establish a lot of connections with my professors, coaches and classmates which I know will enrich my time here for years to come.
"I have faced [obstacles] in multiple phases while at Saint Mary's and knowing how to get through adversity I think will serve me best going forward." Resilience is his biggest takeaway from Saint Mary's, which will serve him well as he pursues a doctorate in physical therapy following his time as a Gael.
As his career comes to a close, Peterson reflected one more time on what it meant to be a senior, coming back to that unique journey that runners choose to make. "Being a senior is an interesting experience" Peterson said. "I have been a part of some wonderful teams but once you are a senior your obligation feels higher. I've always considered myself a good leader for my team but now the maturity had every experience behind it as well. This team was very fun, we were all close and each practice we worked towards common goals. That's one of the things I'll miss about this sport. It's a very unique journey you take as a runner but sharing an understanding among your teammates matters."
Come back to SMCGaels.com on Thursday to read the next Senior Spotlight feature!
#GaelsRise
Two of the most personable Gaels were in the middle of their senior seasons when it was halted due to the NCAA and Saint Mary's responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not being able to resume their seasons, both Katie Watson and Jayman Peterson both reflected on successful careers as Gaels, and both spoke glowingly about how 2020 was unfolding on the track.
Watson was a standout three-sport athlete at Catalina Foothills High School in Tuscon, Arizona, where she ran cross country, track, and also was a member of the state-championship-winning tennis team. A four-year Gael, Watson was a part of so many big moments for the Gaels, including helping Saint Mary's earn their best finish in the WCC Cross Country Championships since 2001 (back in 2018).
It was on a cross country trail that she found her favorite memory as a Gael, citing the 2017 trip to Notre Dame, Indiana. Yes, that Notre Dame, home of the Fighting Irish and the Joe Piane Invitational that the Gaels participated in on September 29, 2017. Before then, I had never been to the Midwest, so it was eye-opening to see that part of the country," Watson remembers. "We got to explore Chicago on our last day there and went to a well-known donut shop before we jumped on the plane to head back to California!"
Watson had been a member of four year's-worth of Gaels teams, but she had a really special feeling about the 2020 version. "This year's team gelled together extremely well," Watson said about her teammates. "This is the deepest our team has ever been and having more people provides the opportunity for many different types of personalities to mesh together. I cherished every minute I got to spend with my teammates since I knew it would be my last season."
While there wasn't enough time to build on her track success from 2019, Watson enjoyed her best season as a Gael in 2019 when she set a pair of personal records in the 3000m and 5000m races. Her 3000m performance came at the West Coast Invitational in February and her record in the 5000m was at the Warrior Last Chance Meet in May, earning a fourth-place finish overall.
Despite those accomplishments, Watson recognizes the importance of her performance off the track and in the classroom, where her most special accomplishments have come. "Obtaining over a 3.8 GPA and an internship/job at Travelers (insurance) in Walnut Creek," mentions Watson as her most cherished accomplishments.
Peterson is more of local ilk, coming to Saint Mary's from Fairfield and spending four years as a Gael. Peterson enjoyed his breakout campaign during the 2017-18 school year, where all of his personal records in both cross country and track stand, including faster times during every single event. Going beyond just competing, one could often find Peterson with a camera around his neck, pressed up against his eyes as he shoots photos for his teammates, often used for publications on SMCGaels.com.
The journey across college and sports has been special to Peterson, and the shortening of his senior season brought that into focus. "Once it was announced, I cried and it took me an hour to really get myself together," admitted Peterson following the news. "A few days later I pinned my 'Dear Track' letter to my social media's as a way for me to remember all of the journey I've been a part of. While it's been very hard coping that the work going into this season isn't going to result in competing one last time, I have found peace in that I gave this sport my all. More than anything this year was more about going out properly in the effort I gave other than any accolades or awards."
That mindset is what positions Peterson well for success beyond Saint Mary's, where he finds that no physical award or accomplishment separates itself from what he finds most valuable at Saint Mary's. "Initially when I came here, in my mind it was all about having the opportunity to continue my athletics," admitted Peterson. "As I've challenged myself to really grow as a person though I've appreciated the small school environment. I have been able to establish a lot of connections with my professors, coaches and classmates which I know will enrich my time here for years to come.
"I have faced [obstacles] in multiple phases while at Saint Mary's and knowing how to get through adversity I think will serve me best going forward." Resilience is his biggest takeaway from Saint Mary's, which will serve him well as he pursues a doctorate in physical therapy following his time as a Gael.
As his career comes to a close, Peterson reflected one more time on what it meant to be a senior, coming back to that unique journey that runners choose to make. "Being a senior is an interesting experience" Peterson said. "I have been a part of some wonderful teams but once you are a senior your obligation feels higher. I've always considered myself a good leader for my team but now the maturity had every experience behind it as well. This team was very fun, we were all close and each practice we worked towards common goals. That's one of the things I'll miss about this sport. It's a very unique journey you take as a runner but sharing an understanding among your teammates matters."
Come back to SMCGaels.com on Thursday to read the next Senior Spotlight feature!
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Track and Field
/ Men's Track and Field
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