Alena Williams competed in the 60m race at the OATCCC Indoor State Championship.
Alena Williams of Austintown Fitch High School is a freshman sprinter who competed at the D1 OATCCC Indoor State Championship and the New Balance Nationals Indoor in the Freshman Division this past indoor season. She took time to speak with MileSplit Ohio about her first year of high school competition and what her upcoming goals are relating to her track career.
MileSplit Ohio: Describe your indoor season. Did your results live up to your expectations going in? What are you most proud of from what you accomplished and was there anything that you felt could have gone better?
Alena: My first high school indoor season was a great experience. I am most proud of breaking the Austintown Fitch High School record in the 60m dash with a time of 7.93. The old record belonged to Theresa Scott who ended up being an All American sprinter at Tiffin University. I am also appreciative that I qualified for the OATCCC Indoor State Championship and the New Balance Nationals Indoor, as a freshman. Going into the season, I really wanted to run sub 60 in the 400m, but I didn't achieve that goal. Looking back, I do feel like I could have worked harder and trained to run faster.
MileSplit Ohio: What events will you be focusing on during the outdoor season? What goals do you hope to accomplish over the next few months?
Alena: During the outdoor season, I will mostly be focused on running a faster time in the 400m and to improve in the 100m and 200m dashes. I'm also learning how to hurdle and I will be trying the 300m hurdles for the first time.
MileSplit Ohio: Describe what your typical week of training resembles.
Alena: My first training cycle of the outdoor season consisted of acceleration work along with intensive tempo workouts. The focus of my second training cycle shifted to maximum velocity and speed endurance. I also spend time in the weight room three days a week after practice to increase my strength and power. The day before our weekend invitational is our pre meet day, which is typically very light and easy, where we are fine tuning our block starts and working on timing our team relay baton exchanges.
Alena Williams also competed in the 400m race at the OATCCC Indoor State Championship.
MileSplit Ohio: Who has helped you to reach the level that you've attained to this point in your track career?
Alena: My parents have been instrumental in the progress of my track career. They want me to strive for greatness and they always encourage me to do my best. My AAU track coaches, who I have known for many years, guided me along they way and they've motivated me to focus on my goals. My sprint coach, Seth Steiner, has taught me a great deal over a short period of time. He's helped me to improve on my running mechanics.
MileSplit Ohio: What are your long-term goals relating to track?
Alena: My goals are to go to a D1 college on a full track and field scholarship. I also hope to pursue my dream of making it to the Olympics and becoming a gold medalist.
Alena Williams had a successful indoor season and she has big goals for her outdoor season.