UM's Lauryn Williams Is World Junior Champ In 100 Meters

July 17, 2002

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami freshman sprinter Lauryn Williams won the 100-meter dash Wednesday night at the IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, giving the United States its first gold medal of the meet.

The diminutive Williams, the 100 champ at the 2002 BIG EAST meet and the USATF Junior National Championships, was the fastest out of the blocks and the fastest at the finish line, which she crossed in a new personal best of 11.33 seconds.

“I am very excited about what I have done today,” Williams said. “This was my last race of the season and I am very excited to finish on such a great note. I won the World Junior championships gold and set a new personal best. What else could I ask for?”

An excellent couple of first strides helped put Williams in front by the 50-meter mark, despite a challenge from Jamaican local favourite Simon Facey, who eventually clocked a new personal best of 11.43.

“It was good, the atmosphere was great,” Williams said. “All the competitors were fast and this certainly gave me an extra boost.”

Williams also is slated to compete later this week as part of the US’s 4×100-meter relay team at the Championships.