Williams seeks another big opener in Boise

Following eight-month layoff to rehabilitate hamstring injury, Oaks Christian senior and USC signee scheduled to race only 60-meter dash and not pursue fourth 200 title

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Lauren Rain Williams won’t have the opportunity to compete in a meet on the Oaks Christian track until March, so the first race of her senior year will be at a facility that has been like a second home.

Williams, who returns to competition following an eight-month layoff after rehabilitating a torn right hamstring, is scheduled to compete Friday and Saturday at the seventh annual New Balance Boise Indoor Invitational at Ford Arena’s Jacksons Track in Nampa, Idaho.

“I’m just so excited,” Williams said. “I kind of feel like a freshman again.”

Following her first 100-meter title, Williams tore her hamstring while running the curve in the 200 final June 4 at the California state championships. After resuming running at full speed during workouts in November, Williams won’t be seeking a fourth consecutive victory in the 200, instead choosing to open her indoor season in the 60-meter dash.

“Unfortunately I’m not running the 200, but the 60, I’m going to own that this year and really fine-tune that race,” Williams said. “I know that it’s going to be great and I’m going to be able to do a really good time.”

Williams swept both races on Jacksons Track as a sophomore, but finished fifth in the 60 in 2014 and placed second last year to future USC teammate Zaria Francis, who ran a meet-record 7.40 seconds. Williams ran a personal-best 7.35 to place third behind Francis (7.30) and Celera Barnes (7.33), now a UCLA freshman, at last year’s New Balance Nationals Indoor at The Armory in New York.

The 60 prelims are scheduled for 5 p.m. MST Friday, with the final at 9:15 a.m. MST Saturday.

“I’m just really managing my races and thinking about the bigger goal in the summertime and just trying to be faster than last year and really focusing on my 60 time,” Williams said. “I wasn’t really consistent (in the 60) my sophomore and junior years, but this year, that’s my main focus. I’m just trying to be very consistent with that and consistent with all my races and in each phase of the race.”