Another of the distinguished line of Tennessee State University athletes that included Hall of Famers Wilma Rudolph and Wyomia Tyus, Martha Watson dominated the American women's long jumping scene during much of her career. In 1964, just barely out of high school, she placed second in the long jump at the U.S. Olympic trials to qualify for the American team. She made three more Olympic teams (1968-72-76) as a long jumper, also running a leg on the U.S. 4x100m relay teams in 1972 and 1976. Watson won a total of eight U.S. long jump titles (five indoor, three outdoor) between 1964 and 1976. That included three straight at both the indoor nationals (1974-76) and outdoor nationals (1973-75). Twice, she bettered the American indoor record (20' 11 1/2" in 1970 and 21' 4 3/4" in 1973). At the 1975 Pan American Games, Watson took a silver medal in the long jump and a gold medal in the 4x100m relay.
1972 Olympics: 400 m relay (4th) 1976 Olympics: 400 m relay (7th) 1973 USA Outdoors: Long Jump (1st) 1974 USA Indoors: Long Jump (1st) 1974 USA Outdoors: Long Jump (1st) 1975 USA Indoors: Long Jump (1st) 1975 USA Outdoors: Long Jump (1st) 1976 USA Indoors: Long Jump (1st) 1975 Pan-Am Games: Long Jump (2nd) 1975 Pan-Am Games: 400 m relay (1st)
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