Clarion Athletics

Diane (Picking) Watson, an 11-time All-American and individual national champion, helped lead Clarion to two AIAW Division II National Championships and three PSAC titles during her three year career from 1977 – 1979 under coach Carol Clay. An outstanding Backstroke/IM/Freestyle specialist, Diane burst on the scene as a freshman by leading Clarion to the PSAC title with a 1^st place and meet record swim in the 100 IM (1:03.9), 1^st in the 100 back, and ended top three in the 50 back, 200 back, and three relays. Clarion won its first AIAW Division II National Championship in 1977 led by Picking who was a national champion in the 100 backstroke with a Clarion record time of 102.2. In individual events she was 4^th in the 200 back, 7^th in the 50 back and 5^th in the 100 IM. In relays she was 2^nd in the 400 medley, 2^nd in the 200 free and 3^rd in the 800 free giving her 7 All-America placings, the maximum at nationals.  She was also qualified for Division I Nationals in the 100 back and the 200 free and 400 medley relays. The 1978 Golden Eagles followed with another PSAC and Division II Title. At States Diane won the 100 IM and the 100 backstroke, plus finaled in five other events. Going on to nationals she was part of the 6^th place 200 free relay, but illness struck and kept her from the pool. In 1979 she was a huge contributor in the Eagles winning the PSAC title with 5 championship performances including the 200 back, 200 IM, and the 200 free, 200 medley and 800 free relays. She was also runner-up in the 100 back and the 100 IM. At nationals, in the high altitude, the Golden Eagles finished 5^th as a team and Diane was 15^th in the 100 IM and helped the 800 free relay place 6^th and the 200 free relay place 7^th. She was unable to swim her senior year due to a shoulder injury. In three years Picking was a national champion, 11-time All-American, 9-time PSAC winner and a 21-time PSAC finalist. She was part of 5 Clarion records including the 100 back, 200 back and three relays including the 200 free, 800 free and 400 medley). A 1980 Clarion grad in Business Marketing & Management, she owned her own cleaning company from 1981 – 2016 when she retired. A 1976 graduate of Cumberland Valley High School, she currently resides in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. Diane and husband Jerry Watson have a daughter Sara and a son Ryan.