Watkins got out to hot start in his outdoor senior campaign. Competing at Richmond’s Fred Hardy Invitational, the veteran jumper registered a pair of top-100 marks in the nation. Winning the high jump, Watkins cleared 2.00m, which is tied for 75th nationally and is best in the conference. The Coram, NY native added a fourth-place finish in the long jump with a 7.05m mark, which sits at the top of the league rankings and is tied for 91st in the country. Watkins earned his first career NEC Field Athlete of the Week selection.