NEW ORLEANS, USA – Jamaica's national champion Danielle Williams is the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division II Women's National Track Athlete of the Week (ending 1 Feb).
This is a first time honor for Williams and any recipient of Johnson C. Smith University. National Athletes of the Week honors were implemented this season.
Williams Division II's women's honor with Division-leading wins at 200 meters and in the 60-meter hurdles at a very competitive Penn State National.
The Penn State National was deemed by the USTFCCCA as a Division I meet to watch (January 31-February 1), but it was Williams who took center stage in the sprints and hurdles.
Williams navigated through the prelims and semifinals of the 60m hurdles with the sixth- and fourth-fastest times, respectively, but she saved her best for last. Williams ran 8.14 in the final to edge out her sister, JCSU alumna, and professional hurdler Shermaine Williams by just .01 to record 2014's fastest time in Division II.
Her times of 8.25 in the prelims and 8.20 in the semifinals were both Division-leading times when she ran them.
On the final day of competition, Williams ran the second of two sections of the 200 meters. She claimed the overall win in a Division II-leading 23.53. Williams also as a leg of the Golden Bulls' fifth-place 4×400 relay team. Johnson C. Smith University is the third-fastest program on the qualifying list.
Among all collegians, Williams currently ranks seventh in the 60-meter hurdles and tied for ninth at 200 meters with three other women.
