* Briana Williams hands out Christmas gifts to children in Montego Bay, Jamaica
Photo Credit: Track Alerts
While it's been almost a year since former Florida prep standout Briana Williams signed a professional contract with Nike and looked toward the next stage of her track and field career, she hasn't forgotten to show gratitude for the opportunities she's been given.
The former Oakland Park Northeast High School sprinter has shown that thanks in multiple ways over 2020, giving back to Caribbean communities that have backed her successes.
In November, she gave away computer tablets to high school athletes in Jamaica. And over the holidays, she paid it forward, too.
The Jamaican international, who is still just 18, gave back to her mother's childhood home of Montego Bay, Jamaica on Dec. 27, handing out nearly 100 presents to children in the community.
Track Alerts reported that Williams compiled donations from companies such as Digicel, Grace Foods, Sagicor and Nike.
Williams last competed in January when she opened her indoor season with a 60m career best time of 7.15 seconds. In recent weeks, the teenager withdraw from the Christmas Class Odd Distance Meet in the Bahamas after her coach, Ato Boldon, believed the meet did not deliver on reasonable expectations.
In 2019, she set a national high school class record for 100 meters with a time of 10.94 (+0.6) seconds at the Jamaican senior championships.
With eyes on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Williams has a realistic oppotunity to qualify for the Games in the 100m, 200m and could contribute to a potential relay squad.