Chrishawn Williams has been at the head of the class in North Carolina for the last few years. Chrishawn first burst onto the scene when she won the 4A NCHSAA long jump title . . . as a freshman, 4 years ago. She didn't stop there. Chrishawn has had a high school career that others just dream about.
2006 - 4th in LJ, 6th in TJ indoors; 1st in LJ, 3rd in TJ outdoors
2007 - 2nd in LJ, 1st in TJ indoors; 3rd in LJ, 1st in TJ outdoors
2008 - 4th in LJ, 1st in TJ indoors; 4th in LJ, 4th in TJ outdoors
2009 - 2nd in LJ, 1st in TJ indoors; we'll see
Q) Chrishawn, when did you begin running track?
A) I started running track when I was seven years old.
Q) Have you always been into the jumping events?
A) Yes, I've been doing long jump since I was 7 and I started triple jumping as soon as I was old enough to compete in the event, which was at the age of 12.
Q) You have won numerous state titles in your career, the first being the Indoor triple jump as a freshman. Do any rank up there as more memorable than the rest?
A) My freshman indoor one was my most memorable state meet because it was my first one and I won literally on my last jump. I barely got a jump in because I scratched my first two in prelims then on my last jump I made it to finals; I was about 7th going into finals. Like in prelims, I scratched my first two jumps but on my last one I figured I had nothing to lose so I just moved my mark back and went for it and to everyone's surprise it was the winning jump.
Q) What is your favorite event to compete in? Why?
A) That's a tough question. I'm not really a big fan of running open events because there is little room for error but with jumping I have the opportunity to get my mind right after an unsatisfying jump. I love both long jump and triple jump equally but since I have been doing long jump longer I feel that I have a stronger connection with the event.
Q) You've made the decision to be a Tarheel next year. What gave them the edge over other schools you were checking out?
A) I choose to be a Tarheel for many reasons. I met with the coach and my mother and I really liked him and felt comfortable with him as well as his coaching methods; he was actually a volunteer coach for my summer track team a few years ago. I also like the fact that I already know a few members of the UNC track team so now I do not have to worry about being completely alone in a new and unfamiliar place. Another thing that I like about UNC is the location; I did not want to be too close to home but not too far either.
Q) What are your goals for the current outdoor season?
A) It's my senior year so I have to go out with a bang. This season I would love to go 20 feet in long jump and 40 feet in triple jump. My personal best is only a few feet away from both distances so that is my goal for the season. Also, i would really like to win long jump and triple jump at states because I have never won both at a NCHSAA state track meet.
Q) As a track athlete, when have you typically begun practicing for the indoor season?
A) I do volleyball in the fall so shortly after the season is over I'm on the track. I'm usually doing something track related from mid November until late July.
A) Do you have any lifetime track goals that you have set for yourself?
A) I have already conquered one of my major goals in track and field; that goal was having the opportunity to become a collegiate athlete. I think that it would be great to be a professional track and field athlete and earn a spot the Olympic team someday but if that does not work out I would enjoy being a coach and providing other athletes with the tools needed to be successful in the sport.
Q) If you could meet any professional athlete, who would it be and why?
A) If I could meet any professional athlete it would be Jackie Joyner-Kersee because I believe that she is one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Being a great heptathalete and an outstanding jumper, she was very multidimensional. Like me, she suffers from exercise-induced asthma but she never let that be and excuse for failure.
Q) Who has been the biggest inspiration so far in your athletic career?
A) Many people have helped me become a successful athlete but the one person that has had the greatest influence has been my mother. She initiated my love for track and field and for sports in general because she has been involving me in organized physical activities since I was two years old. She never pushed any activity on me, it was always about what ever made me happy. My mother was always by my side to provide her love, support and encouragement regardless of my decisions.
A) I started running track when I was seven years old.
Q) Have you always been into the jumping events?
A) Yes, I've been doing long jump since I was 7 and I started triple jumping as soon as I was old enough to compete in the event, which was at the age of 12.
Q) You have won numerous state titles in your career, the first being the Indoor triple jump as a freshman. Do any rank up there as more memorable than the rest?
A) My freshman indoor one was my most memorable state meet because it was my first one and I won literally on my last jump. I barely got a jump in because I scratched my first two in prelims then on my last jump I made it to finals; I was about 7th going into finals. Like in prelims, I scratched my first two jumps but on my last one I figured I had nothing to lose so I just moved my mark back and went for it and to everyone's surprise it was the winning jump.
Q) What is your favorite event to compete in? Why?
A) That's a tough question. I'm not really a big fan of running open events because there is little room for error but with jumping I have the opportunity to get my mind right after an unsatisfying jump. I love both long jump and triple jump equally but since I have been doing long jump longer I feel that I have a stronger connection with the event.
Q) You've made the decision to be a Tarheel next year. What gave them the edge over other schools you were checking out?
A) I choose to be a Tarheel for many reasons. I met with the coach and my mother and I really liked him and felt comfortable with him as well as his coaching methods; he was actually a volunteer coach for my summer track team a few years ago. I also like the fact that I already know a few members of the UNC track team so now I do not have to worry about being completely alone in a new and unfamiliar place. Another thing that I like about UNC is the location; I did not want to be too close to home but not too far either.
Q) What are your goals for the current outdoor season?
A) It's my senior year so I have to go out with a bang. This season I would love to go 20 feet in long jump and 40 feet in triple jump. My personal best is only a few feet away from both distances so that is my goal for the season. Also, i would really like to win long jump and triple jump at states because I have never won both at a NCHSAA state track meet.
Q) As a track athlete, when have you typically begun practicing for the indoor season?
A) I do volleyball in the fall so shortly after the season is over I'm on the track. I'm usually doing something track related from mid November until late July.
A) Do you have any lifetime track goals that you have set for yourself?
A) I have already conquered one of my major goals in track and field; that goal was having the opportunity to become a collegiate athlete. I think that it would be great to be a professional track and field athlete and earn a spot the Olympic team someday but if that does not work out I would enjoy being a coach and providing other athletes with the tools needed to be successful in the sport.
Q) If you could meet any professional athlete, who would it be and why?
A) If I could meet any professional athlete it would be Jackie Joyner-Kersee because I believe that she is one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. Being a great heptathalete and an outstanding jumper, she was very multidimensional. Like me, she suffers from exercise-induced asthma but she never let that be and excuse for failure.
Q) Who has been the biggest inspiration so far in your athletic career?
A) Many people have helped me become a successful athlete but the one person that has had the greatest influence has been my mother. She initiated my love for track and field and for sports in general because she has been involving me in organized physical activities since I was two years old. She never pushed any activity on me, it was always about what ever made me happy. My mother was always by my side to provide her love, support and encouragement regardless of my decisions.