Rush-Henrietta’s Sammy Watson, right, checks the clock as she crosses the finish line, winning the 400-meter dash (Division I) on June 12, 2015.
(Photo: Adrian Kraus, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)

ALBANY, N.Y. – Some high school sprinters in the 400-meter dash use starting blocks.

Rush-Henrietta sophomore Sammy Watson, Section V’s record-holder for the girls one-lap race, is among those who choose not to.

“Last week at the state qualifier I tried using blocks,” she said. “I wasn’t happy with the time (55.16 seconds), I was hoping for 53. I decided to stick with what I knew.”

Blocks or no blocks, it was unlikely that any other 400 sprinter at the state high school track and field championships would block Watson from a first-place finish.

“It’s exciting,” Watson said. “I take every race like anything can happen. I can get too comfortable and someone can come out of nowhere (to win instead).

“My coach and my mother say I should have fun with it, but be competitive. I am having fun. I like the 400.”

A first-time outdoor state champion, she also lowered the Section V record she reset last month during sectionals.