ROCKINGHAM — Covering a lot of distance, sophomore jumper Ka’mora Watkins has been named the Official Richmond County Female Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.
An emerging member of the Richmond senior high school indoor and outdoor track, Watkins was the leading point earner for the Lady Raiders at Saturday’s Polar Bear meet at Pinecrest High School.
Setting two personal records, while also qualifying for the state championship mee, this is Watkins’ first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Year: Sophomore
Winter Sport: Indoor Track and Field
Events: High, long and triple jumps
Varsity Experience: 2 seasons
Other Sports: Volleyball, Track and Field
CLASSROOM CREDITS WITH KA’MORA WATKINS
Helping embody the mold of the term “student-athlete.” Watkins is taking all honors courses during her first semester at Richmond Senior High School.
Currently she’s enrolled in African American History Honors, Biology I Honors, Child Development Honors and Weight Training Honors. During the first nine-week grading period, Watkins made As in two of her classes.
A member of several clubs at Richmond, Watkins is in the African-American History Club, the Lady Raider Diamonds Club and the National Beta Club.
Following graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in the medical field as a nurse or a pediatrician.
“African-American History is my favorite class this semester,” Watkins said. “We’ve learned a lot about our history and Mr. (Arthur) Gilliam goes really in depth and explains the topics so well. We’ve covered people like Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.
“What being a student-athlete means to me is that I represent who I am and put my academics ahead of athletics. Being a Richmond Raider is cool, and I have a lot of pride in that. And I take that pride into my schoolwork and sports with me.”
“HEADED TO STATES” WITH KA’MORA WATKINS
During Richmond’s second meet of the season at Pinecrest over the weekend, Watkins secured 19 of the Lady Raiders’ 48 points, the most of any individual member of the team. As a team, Richmond finished fifth out of 11 schools.
Watkins placed and earned points in three events, all of which were jumping events. She returns this winter after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during spring track and field as a freshman.
In the high jump, Watkins set a personal record mark by clearing the bar at 5 feet, 0 inches. That is also the required height to qualify for the NCHSAA state championship meet.
Taking second overall in the event, Watkins added eight points to Richmond’s score.
Her other PR was set in the triple jump, which she finished third overall with a distance of 32 feet, 2 inches. That placement gave her another six points, which was also the first time she’d competed in the event.
Lastly, Watkins jumped 14 feet, 8 inches in the long jump. She was fourth overall and fourth in her flight, securing her final five points.
The Lady Raider indoor track and field team will return to the oval on Dec. 29 for another Polar Bear meet at Pinecrest.
RAPID RESPONSE VIDEO WITH KA’MORA WATKINS
In her video interview, Watkins shares what allowed her to be successful over the weekend, describes her comeback from injury and talks about her future career goals.
The Richmond Observer will publish its Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week soon.
