Rogue River senior Cole Watson at the Oregon Elite Championships in Bend on Saturday and ran away from everyone to take the 800 meters in 1:52.85.

Watson, who will run for Oregon next year, was aiming for something closer to 1:50, but swirling winds didn’t help matters.

It was really just a workout anyway.

Watson will leave on Thursday for New York City, where he is entered the Jim Ryun High School Dream Mile that is scheduled during the Adidas Gran Prix, an IAAF Diamond League meet.

It’s a big opportunity and Watson chose to attend that race rather than walk in his high school graduation, scheduled for the same night.

“I let the family decide and they wanted me to go to New York,” said Watson, who will make the trip with his mom. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Watson has given Rogue River, a Class 3A school in Oregon’s six-tier system, once-in-a-lifetime exposure. He will go down as one of the best small-school high school runners in state history.

“A lot of people believe I have the potential to win (in New York), or that I’m the guy with the most foot speed in the field,” Watson said. “I can’t argue with that.”

Watson believes he can run close to 4:04 if the pace remains consistent.

He said he knows only one other runner in the field. Colby Alexander of Strongville, Ohio, another Oregon recruit, will be there, too.

Watson and Alexander, who play video game with one another online, plan to be roommates in the fall in Eugene.