A Coversation with TJ Record Holder Sherita Williams

Sherita Williams, holder of the GBTC triple jump record at 13.52m (44' 4.25"), competed at the USATF National championships in Eugene last month. With a first jump of 13.33m (43' 9") she qualified for the final; that ended up as her best jump, good for 8th place. The Wingfoot caught up with her a few days later.

Wingfoot: You placed 8th at Nationals and jumped a season's best...how did that measure up against your goals going in?

Sherita Williams: I was actually very disapointed with my performance. I went in anticipating that I would jump at least 13.50+ based on how I was training leading up to the competition. I had a lot of hurdles this season.

WF: Can you say more about those?
SW: I had some nagging hamstring tightness that was an old hinderance from last year. I also twisted my ankle 1.5 months before Nationals at the outdoor meet at Icahn Stadium in NY.

(Interview continues - click "more")

WF: It was very windy out there. Did the wind affect your jumping? I would think it must be hard to get the run-up right.
SW: It really did. I was already a bit off with my run up and the wind only added another factor into a not so good performance.

WF: Well, of course, to most of us at GBTC it's amazing to get into the finals at Nationals. Can you tell us something about the experience of being out there with all the elite athletes?
SW: Yes, you are right; in hindsight even though I didn't compete up to my standards, I was pleased with myself just making it to Nationals after a long, tough season. The experience of being with elite athletes is like no other. It's almost like we all speak some sort of strange language that only we can understand. There is a high level of respect for everyone competing, everyone there understands the sacrifices and turmoils of just making it to Nationals. The feeling is like no other...being in the elite athlete atmosphere is like seeing distant family that you only see once or twice a year; the entire time you are together is priceless.

WF: Will you be jumping this weekend at Club Nationals?
SW: Yes, I am looking forward to finishing up my season at Club Nationals. I will be taking a year away from track so it is going to be sort of a bitter sweet goodbye for a season.

WF: Ah, well maybe this will be your chance to get off some bigger jumps before season's end. What's on the agenda for next year?
SW: I hope Club Nationals will bring some great jumps. Next year I am going to finally give my body the much needed rest it needs to heal some nagging injuries. I will still be training but at a more leisurely level. I will most likely start going to physical therapy, chiropractor, stretch-ologist and a nutritionist to ensure that I am in tip top shape the next couple of years for 2012. Also personally I just bought a house so this will give me some time to do some home projects that are needed.

WF: That sounds like a great plan. I think we often neglect the importance of recovery time. Any other words of wisdom you'd like to share with the rest of us at GBTC?
SW: I am just so thankful for my friends at GBTC and everywhere else that continue to support me and and to be a positive factor in my life. I would also like to add that it was GBTC that gave me a great foundation to come back to track and I am so thankful for that.