Athletic Bio
-
100m Personal Best - 10.88
-
200m Personal Best - 22.27
-
2007 World Championship 100m Silver Medalist
-
2007 4 x 100m World Champion
-
2007 U.S. Outdoor 100m Silver Medalist
-
2006 U.S. Outdoor 100m Silver Medalist
-
2006 World Indoor 60m Silver Medalist
- 2005 4 x 100m World Champion
- 2005 World Champion 100m Sprint
- 2004 Olympic 100m Silver Medalist
- 2004 NCAA 100m Champion
- 2003 Pan Am 100m and 4x100m relay Gold Medalist
- 2002 World Junior Gold Medalist 100m, Silver in 4x100 relay
- 2002 US Junior 100m Champ
- 2004 3rd in 100m at the US Olympic trials
Lauryn Williams is diminutive standing a mere 5'3-1/4" but the frequency of her churning legs is unmatched in her sport and makes her hard to beat. She's one of the fastest women in the world.
In her first season as a professional, Lauryn traveled to Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games and, at a time when track and field was desperately looking for a 'darling', captured the silver medal and everyone's heart.
Although Lauryn had a stellar college career, it wasn't until she became the 2004 NCAA Champion at 100m with a 10.97 that she even thought about the Olympics. Her fellow competitors however knew it was inevitable. In 2004 Williams was not only the NCAA Champion, she held the fastest legal-wind time by an American 10.97, the second fastest time in the world that year; was named the 2004 Big East most outstanding track performer and honored as the 2004 Athlete of the Year by the Sports Council.
Lauryn has proved herself on the world stage time after time, showing tremendous strength of character, to always put her in contention in the major championships. Following on from the success of 2004, 2005 had a new challenge at the world championships, in Helsinki, Lauryn showed what a tough competitor she truly is, ignoring the cold and wet conditions, to take gold, become world champion and solidify herself at the top of her sport. 2006 heralded a world indoor 60m silver and US championship silver, but then hampered by injuries, the season was cut short, and Lauryn had to overcome perhaps the biggest challenge yet, the road back! In true Lauryn Williams style, this challenge was conquered also and in 2007 at the World Championships in Osaka, Lauryn, once again showed why she is one the best, finding form and taking the silver medal in one of the closest finishes ever seen.
Having a reputation as a fierce competitor is certainly one way to describe Lauryn, but not the one you would think of when meeting her off the track. The fresh-faced smile and personable nature are two of the things that have helped Lauryn become one of the most popular personalities in the sport today. Always taking the time to talk to children and fans alike, Lauryn truly is one of the new generation who are helping re-connect the audience with the athletes.
In the little personal time she has, Lauryn spends time providing community outreach services as part of the USATF's "Be a Champion" program, is looking to establish her own charitable fund for a local community center in her hometown at which she volunteers her time, and divides the remaining hours between her family (five sisters and two brothers) and her Great Dane, Atheena.
|
