This week, March distance running star Dan Watts reflects on a great start to the year that has seen him win his first competitive race for Oklahoma State University. I AM pleased to say that I have won my first race for OSU! The race was at Kansas Stat

This week, March distance running star Dan Watts reflects on a great start to the year that has seen him win his first competitive race for Oklahoma State University.I AM pleased to say that I have won my first race for OSU! The race was at Kansas State University and it was my first indoor race and my first mile.There were two heats with seven athletes from OSU and another six from other schools.My room mate Peter took the lead for the first two laps before the assistant coach Dave Smith told fellow English runner Matt Barnes-Smith to take over.I tracked him until about halfway when Dave told me to take the lead. I was reluctant to hit the front because it was my first indoor race and the first at this distance, but before the race Dave had told me that he wasn't worried about final positions but just wanted a good workout.After I took the lead I could hear Dave yelling at me to not let Matt pass and also at Matt to not let me beat him.However, I am glad to say that I managed to hold him off on the last lap and cross the line in a time of 4:22. It's not a fast time but it was on a tight, flat track and so I was pleased with my performance.My next race is an indoor 3k at Washington University in Seattle, Washington, in two weeks.We will fly over and stay over the night after the race. I am very excited!It is a 300m track there, which is a first, but it will be a high quality race. I will be facing the top runners from OSU and many from around the United States but I hope to get close to 8:20. I will let you know how it goes!I also heard great news on Friday that I had won the Evening Telegraph's Sportsman of the Year award. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend but my parents were there.