Watts Makes Tracks for USC After All : Top High School Sprinter in Nation Joins Exceptional Trojan Recruiting Class

The Quincy Watts recruiting derby ended at 11:12 a.m. Thursday when the Taft High senior announced he would attend USC on a track scholarship in the fall.

Reading from a prepared statement in the Taft library, Watts said, “After careful consideration I have decided to attend the University of Southern California. Over the past year, it’s been rough and it’s been hard on my dad and me.

“A lot of people were telling me where to go, but in the end I had to make the decision for myself. I made it and I’m happy with it.”

Watts’ choice of USC over UCLA capped a superb recruiting year for the Trojans, who have won 26 NCAA titles but none since 1978. Last week they signed hurdler Ronald Copeland of Dorsey, sprinters Tony Miller of Riordan High in San Francisco and Travis Hannah of Hawthorne, and pole vaulter Todd Lehman of North High in Phoenix.

Copeland placed second in the 110-meter high hurdles in last year’s state championships, Hannah was runner-up in the 400 meters and Miller placed fourth in the 200 and fifth in the 100. Lehman is the defending Arizona state champion.

Matt Gee of Arkansas City, Kan., the No. 2-ranked javelin thrower in the country, had signed earlier with USC on a football scholarship.

“USC had a great recruiting year and that influenced me some,” said Watts, the No. 1-ranked high school sprinter in the country by Track and Field News. “I’d like to help them re-establish their great tradition. But that wasn’t the only reason I went there. I just felt like USC had more to offer me.”

The decision by Watts, who ran his personal bests of 10.30 in the 100 and 20.50 in the 200 at the 1987 Junior Olympics national championships in Provo, Utah, was a relief to both he and his father, Rufus, who served as confidant and adviser throughout the recruiting process.

“It really got intense when the first signing date rolled around,” Rufus Watts said of April 13, when the collegiate signing period began. “That’s when it really started to take its toll.”

Added Quincy: “I’m just glad it’s over. Now things can get back to normal. Now I can get back to being a kid again.”

Watts, 17, who signed the letter of intent immediately after the press conference, again denied reports that he had made a verbal commitment last Wednesday to attend USC.

“I didn’t make any decision until last night,” he said. “I wasn’t sure where I was going until then.”

Having weathered the recruiting storm, Watts can concentrate on rehabilitating the hamstring he strained in a dual meet at El Camino Real High two weeks ago.

“The injury is coming along well,” Watts said. “But it’s too early to tell when I’ll be back.”

Taft Coach Tom Stevenson said that the injury might prevent Watts from defending his state and City Section titles in the 100 and 200 meters.

“Quincy’s not a piece of meat and we’re not going to treat him like one,” Stevenson explained. “If he’s ready to run in the league prelims next week, we’ll run him. But if he’s not ready, we won’t. The Olympic Trials are the big meet this year, not the state and city meets.”

Watts has qualified for the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, which begin July 15, in the 100 and 200 meters.

If Watts doesn’t place in the top four at the West Valley League finals May 5, he still could qualify for the City quarterfinals May 13, but only as a first alternate, according to City Commissioner Hal Harkness. Another runner would have to withdraw in order for Watts to run.

Regardless of his health, Watts won’t run the 100 in the City championships or the Olympic Trials, according to Stevenson.

“The 100 puts too much pressure on the hamstring,” Stevenson said. “If Quincy runs in the City and state meets, he’ll run the 200, 400 and both relays. He’ll concentrate on the 200 at the trials.”