Sammy Watson Breaks 800m National Record!


Sammy Watson broke one of the oldest high school records in the book on Saturday night at the Millrose Games, as she ran 2:01.78 to crack Mary Decker's 42-year-old record of 2:01.8.

adidas athletes Ajee Wilson and Charlene Lipsey broke the tape in 1:58.27 and 1:58.64, respectively, both under the American record of 1:58.71.


Watson didn't realize she broke the record until midway through the post-race interview. The highly recruited star says she still has two official college visits, though she declined to say where, and she is not thinking about turning pro.

This is Watson's second individual national record in as many weekends. She set the 600m national record of 1:27.13 at the Armory Track Invitational last Saturday. The mark broke her own record of 1:28.67.

Watson is undefeated against prep competition in distances ranging from 300m-1500m since 2014. She is the reigning IAAF World U18 champion and World U20 champion for 800m. Wilson was also a two-time world champion at that age, but now Watson is faster than Wilson was indoors as a prep.

The national high school record outdoors is Mary Cain's 1:59.51.

Watch the final lap here: