By Don Trello
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
Tyler Watson and Mikayla Barber’s common goal is to be the best at what they do, even though that means finishing ahead of each other.
Watson and Barber are senior hurdlers on the Wharton girls track and field team, and each advanced to the Class 4A meet last year.
Watson won the regional title in the 300-meter hurdles in a personal record 44.25 seconds, just 0.04 seconds faster than Barber’s second-place finish. Barber took fourth the following week at states, while Watson was eighth.
“It’s like a track meet every day since we train together,” Watson said about her and Barber’s head-to-head competition.
Barber, who also made states in the 100 hurdles last season, holds the edge in wins racing against Watson.
“Tyler and me motivate each other to work on things to get better,” Barber said. “There’s nothing negative between us.”
Barber’s best time of 43.96 in the 300 hurdles came during the state meet her junior year.
“I was messed up in the regionals due to illness, but I can’t use that as an excuse,” Barber said. “I’m staying focused, and I’m going to win state this year. I finished fourth last year, and there’s one little extra step that will get me there.”
Wharton coach Wes Newton has seen plenty of talent since he started his coaching career in 1972 at Leto and said Watson and Barber have potential to do well at the state meet.
“There is a rivalry between (Watson and Barber) and they are friends on the track, but they are also competitors,” Newton said. “They know they are on a team, but they both want to win. It’s good competition.
“Tyler has progressed tremendously once we found a role for her,” Newton added. “Mikayla does a good job and will run in college.”
Watson came late to hurdles competition and didn’t participate in the event until her junior year. Even though Watson is focused on hurdling, she also runs with Barber on the 4×400 relay team.
“Coach Newton wanted me to come out (for hurdles) when I was a freshman, but I had too much fear of falling and getting injured,” Watson said. “But (Wharton graduate) Amani Bryant ran in 2008-2009 and was state champion in the 300 hurdles. Watching her run inspired me.”
Watson ran the 400 in ninth grade and took second in the district in the 800 her sophomore year. She credits her father Gary with convincing her she should be a hurdler.
“My dad has a summer track team, and he’s been my coach since I was 6 years old,” Watson said. “He took me to the side of a hurdle and showed me I was taller than the hurdle. I went over to coach Newton and said I would try the hurdles.”
Barber’s path to becoming a first-rate hurdler began in ninth grade.
“I saw older girls running for a scholarship, and I thought I could do it myself,” Barber said. “My dad (Anthony) was a hurdler in college and a 300-meter champion in high school. He is my personal coach.
“My dad believed in me when I didn’t believe in me,” added Barber. “He saw I could reach the same goals as he did. My dad said hurdles are 95 percent mental and 5 percent technique and training. You have to attack each hurdle like it’s the first one.”
Both Barber and Watson indicated they feel fortunate to have Newton as their coach.
“He’s a tough coach, but he does it because he sees potential in us,” Barber said. “He helps us mentally and physically. He’s a very awesome coach.”
Watson feels Newton, along with her father, is instrumental in her development as a top competitor.
“Wes is my hurdles coach, and he taught me everything I know,” Watson said. “It’s easy to learn from him. He let me know there will be tough times, but in the end it would pay off.”
