Sage cruises to spot in the final

By Sean Rooney on April 10, 2018.

Medicine Hat News

Sage Watson is right where she needs to be — in the final of another major track and field event.

In Australia Tuesday, the Seven Persons sprinter finished third in her 400 metre hurdles heat at the Commonwealth Games to earn a spot in Thursday’s final.

Her time was 55.43 seconds, though the placing was all that mattered in her eight-person start. Scotland’s Eilidh Doyle was first in 54.80 seconds, followed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Sparkle McKnight in 55.15. The top three in each of two heats, plus the next two best times, advanced.

Watson has long talked about breaking the 22-year-old Canadian record of 54.39 seconds, set in Atlanta by Rosey Edeh. Her personal best is 54.52 seconds, and although the Commonwealth Games come early in the outdoor track season the now-professional 23-year-old may only now be entering her prime.

Jamaica’s Janieve Russell won the other heat in 54.01 seconds, sending a message it’ll take a Canadian record to beat her.

For those in Medicine Hat, Watson’s run will take place at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday Mountain time.