As the 2024 academic year kicked off and Villanova students returned to the Main Line, one Wildcat instead found himself in Peru.
Sophomore Dan Watcke participated in Lima, Peru’s World Athletics U20 Championships on Aug. 27 through 31. The World Championships had 33 countries represented across all events.
After working his way through two qualifying heats, Watcke placed eighth in the 800-meter final, finishing the race at 1:50.55.
Although early in his collegiate career, Watcke is no stranger to the big stage. To qualify for the World Championships, Watcke competed in the USATF U20 Championships in Oregon back in June. Recording a time of 1:47.59, Watcke placed second in the 800-meter final.
It was the third time he medaled in the 800 meters at the meet, as he previously won a pair of bronze medals at the championships.
The first of three races at the World Championships for Watcke started on Aug. 27. With only the top three qualifying in each heat, Watcke had work to do. Watcke finished third, finishing in front of third place by only 0.30 of a second. Watcke’s third-place time was 1:49.86.
The semifinal round was split into three heats. Qualifications for the final were to finish first or second in one’s respective heat or have one of the two fastest times after the six top qualifiers.
Watcke was put into the first heat of three in the semifinals. In a close finish, Watcke came just short of finishing second to earn a spot in the final. Instead, Watcke finished third with a time of 1:47.68, just 0.15 of a second behind second.
Due to Watcke being in the first heat, he needed to wait for the other two heats to see if his time was good enough for one of the two fastest-time qualifying spots.
Watcke’s time was fast enough to earn him a spot in the final. His 1:47.68 semifinal run set at the 2023 Big East Outdoor Championships.
A loaded final consisted of representation from Kenya, Canada, Qatar and others. Watcke was the only runner representing the United States of America in the 800-meter final.
Watcke lined up in lane four. He split 25.45 at 200 meters, 52.39 at 400 meters, 1:20.09 at 600 meters and crossed the finish line in 1:50.55. It was Watcke’s slowest time of the championships, but his third race in four days. With three years of college eligibility left, Watcke’s potential has a high ceiling.
College athletes leave their mark on a program and on the way out, pass the torch to a new generation. Sean Dolan ran the 800 meter for the Wildcats for four seasons. During Dolan’s time as a Wildcat, he crossed the finish line first in every 800m race he ran at a Big East meet.
To put Watcke’s potential in perspective with Dolan, Watcke finished second in the Big East Outdoor 800-meter championship last year. The only person who finished in front of Watcke was Dolan.
