It was a mix of business and pleasure for senior All-American Teddy Williams on Wednesday in Fayetteville, Ark.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Teddy Williams is out for redemption this weekend. At least that's what UTSA's senior sprinter has been saying repeatedly to anyone who will listen since arriving in Northwest Arkansas from the Alamo City late Tuesday night.
The two-time All-American is making a return trip to the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend, the third such appearance of his illustrious four-year career, but his mind is focused on the big prize, a National Championship in the 60-meter dash.
"It's all about redemption this weekend," the eight-time Southland Conference Champion told goUTSA.com on Wednesday. "I was nervous the first time I got this far and last year left a bitter taste in my mouth. Those memories have driven me all season and I'm ready to bring a national title to UTSA."
As a sophomore in 2008, Williams admittedly got caught up in the moment and finished fifth in his preliminary heat right here in Fayetteville. His time of 6.76 was 16th in the field of 18.
Last year, the Tyler native sped to the third-fastest prelims time, a Southland record 6.59, but he spiked himself coming out of the blocks in the final and finished eighth in College Station.
Bitterly disappointed, Williams told himself after that race that he was going to use the experience as a driving force for success in his final campaign as a Roadrunner.
In fact, he immediately set a goal of not only returning to the national meet, but he wanted to do so without losing a race en route to the first NCAA Championship in UTSA Athletics history.
So far, so good.
Williams has raced seven times in the 60m this winter and, although he has fallen a little short of his goal of not losing, he has finished as the top collegian in all his races this season (he finished behind a pair of unattached runners at the Houston Invitational/Multis on Jan. 30).
He won the prestigious New Balance Invitational in 6.61 last month in New York City and had a chance to speak with none other than Carl Lewis — yes, THAT Carl Lewis — following his victory at the historic 168th Street Armory. His winning time that day ranked second in the country at the time and stands fifth entering this weekend's meet.
"Mr. Lewis told me to stay focused and keep my eye on the prize," Williams said. "His words really sunk in and gave me motivation to get to this point. It was such a great honor to be able to get advice from him. After all, he is an Olympic Champion and former world record-holder."
He followed that performance by successfully defending both his Southland short sprint titles two weeks ago in Norman, Okla. The 60m crown was his third in a row and he was named the league's Indoor Athlete of the Year and Outstanding Track Performer for the second consecutive season.
The journey to Fayetteville began on Tuesday night when Williams, head coach Aaron Fox, sprints coach David Burnett and associate sports information director Brian Hernandez boarded a 5:20 p.m. Continental Airlines flight out of San Antonio International Airport. Four hours later, the trio had reached Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, which is approximately 30 miles north of the Randal Tyson Track Center, the site of this weekend's national championships.
Wednesday featured a trip to scenic Devil's Den State Park, which is situated 25 miles southwest of Fayetteville in the Ozark Mountains, followed by the first of three planned pre-race workouts at Tyson.
However, the highlight of the day came at 6:30 p.m. when Fox received a call from the NCAA letting him know that junior triple jumper Devon Bond had been extended an invitation to compete this weekend due to a scratch in the field.
Bond, who originally missed qualifying for the meet by a mere half inch (0.01m), is scheduled to join his teammate in the Natural State at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
Below are some photos of Wednesday's activities and be sure to check back throughout the rest of the week for more updates from Fayetteville.