Sophie Watts

But 2026 has arguably been her biggest breakthrough yet.

In her first year out of the NCAA system, Maggie has set personal bests indoors and outdoors, finished second at the Canadian Championships behind Olympian Lucia Stafford, and then came to the Jerome Classic and won the 1500 meters in a new personal best and Nova Scotia record of 410.74.

So today we're talking about leaving the NCAA after six years at Villanova, figuring out post-collegiate running, and a season that really seemed to come alive as it went on.

Maggie, welcome to the podcast.

It's always fun to bring, you know, champions back to the pod to get some words with them, so...

On that note, I obviously have to start with the Jerome Classic.

You came away with a win and I think just a two second personal best.

I was going to say just shy of a two second, but it was a two second personal best of 410.74. Can you take me through that race from your perspective?