Umajesty Williams is less than a year removed from high school, but his performance on the track would make you think otherwise.
The freshman sprinter from Scottsdale, Arizona has spent his first official indoor season setting personal records and getting familiar with the extra turns around the track. Williams hasn’t allowed his inexperience to hold him back, instead he’s used his excitement to represent the Wildcats as a tool to keep running faster.
Williams committed to the University of Arizona late in his senior year, but that didn’t prevent him from showing up on day one prepared and ready to go.
Perhaps he can attribute that readiness to the nonstop coaching that he receives from his toughest critic — his father. Williams says that his dad, who also ran track, has served as his mentor and impacted his performance in many ways.
“He continuously pushes me, to the point where I feel like I’m dead, but then he shows me that I can keep going.” Williams said.
Williams admits that his dad is the hardest coach that he’s ever had, but that he appreciates the non-stop support. He knows that without it, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
On Jan. 19 at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational, Williams posted a 21.88 in the 200-meter, a time that head coach Fred Harvey called great for a freshman.
But for Williams it wasn’t fast enough, as he plans to run sub-21 this outdoor season — and the goals don’t end there.
Williams doesn’t have trouble staying motivated. Continuing to strive for bigger things, Willams and fellow teammate Zakee Washington always push each other to succeed.
“Zakee, who is typically my roommate when we travel, and I are always talking; we’re really trying to do something big here. We always push one another,” Williams said.
While constantly being surrounded by competition and refining his craft, Williams spends his time thinking about all that he wants to accomplish as a Wildcat.
“I’m after that freshman record in the 400-meter. I want to help my 4×4 relay team qualify for nationals, and I want to break 21 in the 200,” Williams said. “As long as my work ethic helps elevate the people around me, I’ll be happy with what I’ve accomplished.”
For most freshman these would be career achievements, for Williams they’re more or less things on his to-do list.
The start of the outdoor season is quickly approaching, and Williams is looking forward to continue turning heads, but the freshman sprinter has one secret to his success.
“I just go out there each time and try to go Super Saiyan on all my challengers, like nobody can stop me,” Williams said.
Despite being only a freshman, there’s no denying that he’s having fun with it, and has still managed to lead by example. Expect that to be the norm moving forward.
He has burst onto the national radar, and his potential seems limitless. Now, Williams works to keep getting faster.
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