FAYETTEVILLE -- Taylor Ellis-Watson, who as a senior helped Arkansas win the women's team title at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this year, will run in the first round of the 400 meters today when the U.S. Olympic Trials open at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
Ellis-Watson was a three-time SEC champion and 11-time All-American in two years with the Razorbacks after transferring from Pittsburgh. She took second in the 400 at the NCAA meet and anchored the 1,600 relay team to a second-place finish.
Track & Field News predicts Ellis-Watson, who set Arkansas' school record in the 400 at 50.78, will finish seventh at the Trials.
"I think the SEC and NCAA meets prepared her well, because you're tested by fire with the quality of competition," Arkansas Coach Lance Harter said. "She's looked great in practice, she's healthy.
"We're hoping she can continue to advance through the rounds, because that's the trick."
The top-three finishers in each event qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team, but Harter said being in the top six should put Ellis-Watson on the team as part of the relay group. It's possible the top eight could make the team as well, Harter said, as alternates for the relay.
Ellis-Watson twice underwent surgery on her left foot after coming to Arkansas, first in November 2013 for a stress fracture and then in December 2014 because one of the screws in her foot had slipped and had to be removed.
Harter credited Arkansas' team doctors, training staff and sprints coach Chris Johnson for helping Ellis-Watson stay healthy and develop into an All-American.
"Now Taylor's tough as nails and durable as can be, and Chris Johnson's just done a fantastic job bringing her around," Harter said. "There aren't too many people in the world that can run with her."
Sports on 07/01/2016