There isn't much that Kevin Williams has left to accomplish in his high school career. A state record here and there, a state championship (or two or three or four), and a slot in the Foot Locker finals. But a possibility that is arguably bigger than all of these lies barely more than a month ahead--the junior men's race of the World Cross Country Championships.
We interviewed Kevin to find out more about his qualifying race in San Diego, the possibility of running at worlds, and what dreams he still has left to chase in his high school career. Here is what he told us:
What made you decide to enter the USATF cross country nationals? Did you feel that you had a realistic chance at making the national team?
I ran the race last year since it was just in Boulder. It was my first 8k and I had a good time. It was fun to see all of the professional runners and the elite races. I was pretty sure I was going to run it again this year and then I got sick in December. On the way back from Footlocker Nationals, there was trouble with our flight. I ended up taking a later flight and getting a free flight coupon because of this. Even though I wasn't sure of my fitness level, we decided to go to San Diego anyway since most of the trip was paid for. I was going into this race mainly just to see where my fitness level was, and I thought I had an outside shot at making the team.
How did your race strategy differ, if at all, from what you used at Foot Locker Nationals?
At Foot Locker Nationals, I really wanted to try to go for it. I took it out hard from the beginning and it didn't work out. It was a good learning experience to find out how I should race in the future. For this race, I was just going to try to stay in sight of the lead pack for at least 2 laps (4k) and then see if I felt good enough to start moving up.
Did the Foot Locker Nationals experience help to prepare you for USATF Nationals?
For Foot Locker Nationals I put a lot of pressure on myself, and for this race I was a lot more relaxed. I have run some other big races against really good competition; that also helped me get prepared.
How much of an advantage was it for you to have competed in last year's USATF race in Boulder?
The only advantage to having run last year was gaining experience running the longer distance (this was my second 8k race).
How were you feeling during the race? At what point did you realize you'd made the national team?
During the race I felt great and felt like it went out slow. There was a lead pack of about 30 runners through 2k and I felt like we were running at a comfortable pace for me. With about 3k to go, the lead pack was down to about 10 runners and that is when I realized I had a shot. I was in the top 7 for the last 2k and I tried to run the last 1k strong. I knew I had made the team when I was coming down the home stretch. It was a great feeling after how I had placed at Footlocker.
Here's the big question we all want to know... are you going to Scotland to race? How will this impact your training for the track season this spring?
I am definitely going to Scotland to run in the World Championship race. I think it is a great opportunity to travel and represent the US. It really worked out because it is over my spring break and I don't have to miss much school. The race is on March 30. I am also going to Orlando this week for the NACAC Championships.
I don't think this will change my training plan that much for track this spring. I am working out with my team and doing the regular track workouts. The trips to Orlando and Scotland are a huge bonus, but I still would like to place well at both. We'll just see how everything goes.
What sort of training had you been doing between Foot Locker Nationals and USATF?
My training between Foot Locker and USATF was not that great.I was pretty sick in December and had to take three weeks off after Foot Locker. I have never taken that much time off before, but I think it may have helped in the long run. I had a couple of solid weeks of training before the US race, but still wasn't sure of how good of shape I was in.
Do you have any particular goals for the track season this spring?
My goals for the track season are to repeat the state championship for both the 1600m and the 3200m. I think if Wes Rickman and I go out hard and really push each other, we have a chance at Brent Vaughn's 3200m record. If we can't get that, I'd like to break my record from last year.
You surprised a lot of people by signing with Oklahoma. What were the clinching factors in making the decision to run for Oklahoma?
I was recruited by a lot of programs I liked. I visited all of my top schools and tried to see how I would fit in with each team. Oklahoma really has a great up-and-coming program with a young team. All of the guys were a lot like me - they are serious about running and want to build a good program. The team is very small and I think I will have a chance to contribute next year. Martin Smith was another draw for me. He is a very well-respected coach, and he made me feel like I could achieve my goals with his program. Bobby Lockhart, the assistant coach, had a lot of success in high school and college and has a lot of time for each of the guys on the team. Overall, it was the right place for me.
What's your favorite memory of high school track and cross country? Is there a memory you wish you had but which has thus far eluded you?
My favorite memory of high school track was the state meet of my sophomore year. I was the third leg of the 4 X 800 meter relay with 3 seniors running the other legs. We set a new 4A state meet record with our win and it was really exciting. The next day, I started the final lap of the 3200 in fifth place and ended up winning the race. It surprised me and a lot of other people, but it was really exciting.
The only thing that I haven't achieved so far that is important to me in running is being a high school All-American.
I really want to finish up by saying that my coach, Mr. Porter, is responsible for a lot of my success. He works hard making sure that the way he trains me is working for me. I know I have been really lucky to be at D'Evelyn and to have had such a great coach.