T&F: Williams set to run with Wildcats
signed a letter-of-intent to run track and attend Wiley College in
Marshall this fall. Also pictured are Williams' father, Danny Williams
(standing, left) and Lady Dawg head track coach Art Horton. C.K. is
also the daughter of Vivian Williams. (Photo by John Krueger)
CARTHAGE, Tx - She loved running from the start. And with the love of track and field, came success, which made it that much more enjoyable. Former Carthage Lady Dawg C.K. Williams will have the opportunity continue running after signing a letter of intent to run track and attend Wiley College in Marshall next fall.
For Williams, competing in track and field was almost an afterthought when she was in junior high. Not good enough to make the seventh grade basketball team, she made the switch. She enjoyed running in junior high and then her love for the sport grew even more in high school under the leadership of Coach Art Horton.
"I started running track because I didn't make the basketball team," Williams said. "But I really began to fall in love with track. It was something totally different from basketball.
Then I had a great coach in high school [Horton]. It was because of him that I really fell in love with it. He was a fun person to be around and even though practices were hard he really made you want to try hard and get better. He really motivated us."
Not only were the Lady Bulldogs enjoying what they were doing, but they were winning, claiming the district track and field championship in 2009, 2010 and 2012, Williams' freshman, sophomore and senior seasons.
"There's nothing like winning," Williams explained. "Getting first place or winning a meet as a team gives you such a feeling of accomplishment."
Williams really excelled during the later part of her high school career. After years of practice, she was a Class 3A Region II finalist in the 400-meter relay and the 1600-meter relay, and qualified for the regional meet in the 100-meter dash during her senior season this spring.
Being part of a relay team was tough for her, as she often found herself being the anchor leg.
"It's kind of difficult being the anchor because being the last leg it's up to me to bring it in," she said. "It's like everybody on the relay depends on me. In an individual event I'm only depending on me and nobody else."
And not only was she successful in track and field, but she improved her skills and became a vital part of the Lady Dawg basketball team. Williams earned Second-Team All-District 16-3A in basketball this past season. She also received the Most Improved Award on the Lady Dawg basketball team that finished the 2011-12 season with a 20-13 record and advancing to the Class 3A playoffs.
During her senior campaign in basketball, Williams averaged 7.0 points per game, finishing the year with 195 total points. She handed out one assist per game, 2.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals per contest.
Not bad for a girl who couldn't make the team in seventh grade.
As a part of the fledgling Carthage girls' cross country team, Williams helped the Lady Bulldogs to their best finish ever, coming in second in the league meet last fall.
Despite being successful in each of the sports she's participated in, Williams doesn't feel that participating in several sports is taxing.
"It's not hard for me," she said. "I just play and do my best and then when the next sport comes I do the same for it."
Williams said she never dreamed of going to college when she started running track in junior high, but she's excited about the future ahead running for the Wildcats.
C.K. Williams is the daughter of Danny and Vivian Williams.