Before the last event of the track meet, intensity lingers in the air as senior Cheyenne Watts fearlessly waits at the starting line.  A few minutes later, she is struggling with a close race, but she ultimately passes her opponent at the last turn, finishing in first place.  Watts relishes in her victory and after years of rigorous training.

“I’m very confident in my abilities as a runner,” said Watts.  “That confidence helps me push myself in my races and grow stronger mentally as well as physically.”

Watts first realized her passion for running at 5 years old.  While she has always been fiercely motivated by her own desire to excel in her sport, her inspiration has stemmed from her mother’s ardor for running track.  Watts’ mother, Spanish teacher and cross country coach Donna Woodlock-Watts, has been her mentor and trainer throughout her track career.  Their passion for track has not only brought them closer together as mother and daughter but also as coach and athlete.

“My number one fan is my mom,” said Watts.  “It is important that an athlete can trust a coach like a parent, and my mom happens to be both.”

Throughout high school, Watts has dedicated herself to strenuous track workouts for her 800 meter, 1600 meter and 3200 meter races.  All of her hard work has paid off as she has been recognized as Third Team All-County in 2011 and All-Marmonte League Second Team in 2012, and she was recently accepted to New York University for track.  Watts is committed to run competitively as a member of the university’s track team.  She will also study Nutrition and Dietetics at the Steinhardt School at NYU.  Watts will continue to lead a healthy lifestyle and plans to educate others about the benefits of eating right and being physically fit.

“[Running] is my life now, and I’m not sure what I would do without it,” said Watts.  “It gives my life structure, purpose and happiness.”