Williams Advances To 100-Meter Finals
DES MOINES, Iowa — Running on the nation’s biggest stage, the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Teddy Williams waltzed into the finals of the 100-meter dash and closer to All-America status in the process.
Williams won his first-round heat and later raced to the eighth-fastest time in the semifinals to just make the finals cut. The top eight American-born finishers gain All-America recognition.
“That’s a great feeling, to be an All-American,” Williams told the Tyler Paper by cell phone less than an hour after advancing to the finals. “I was able to come in and achieve my first goal and prove I can run with anyone in the country.”
The 2006 John Tyler graduate finished fifth in the first semifinal in a time of 10.46 seconds. The sophomore sprinter benefited from the fast race, which Clemson junior Travis Padgett paced at 10.20.
LSU’s Richard Thompson (10.33) and Florida’s Jeremy Hall (10.40) followed right behind Padgett, while LSU’s Trindon Holliday (10.34), Florida State’s Walter Dix (10.45) and Clemson’s Jacoby Ford (10.49) went 1-2-3 in the second semifinals.
The top three finishers in both semifinals, plus the next best two times, constituted the final eight. Those two times went to Mississippi State’s Kendall May (10.43) and Williams, who beat Thompson, the national leader coming in at 9.93, in one of four first-round heats.
Heavy rains and flooding caused an hour delay and strong head winds, which measured anywhere from 2.6-6.5 meters-per-second in the two rounds.
“The key was to drive out and stay focused,” Williams said. “At the end I didn’t relax like I wanted. But I got to the finals like I wanted.”
The finals, which will be televised live on CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV), is set for 8:45 p.m. on Friday.
Before that, though, Williams will run in the first round of the 200 today at 5:25 p.m., and less than two hours later if he advances. Williams ranks 14th nationally in the 200 with a time of 20.60.
Williams claimed to still be hungry, despite his pending All-America honor, a spot reserved in the U.S. Olympic Trials later this month, and his recent placement on the national 23-under team.
“I’m going to go in the same way and I’m trying to win a national championship,” said Williams, who will compete for the U.S. in the NACAC (North American, Central American, and Caribbean) Under-23 Championships in Toluca, Mexico from July 18-20. “I’m not content with making the finals. I want to get on the podium.”
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