Feb. 12, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State women's track and field senior Devon Williams was named the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Track Athlete of the Week for her performance at the Meyo Invitational, Feb. 9 in South Bend, Ind., as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon. Williams finished fourth in both the 60- and 200-meter dashes with season-best times in both events.
Head track and field coach Elvis Forde feels that Williams' performance this past weekend was a good indication that she is beginning to find her stride.
"As we back off weight training and begin to sharpen up for the conference championships in three weeks, we will begin to see Devon running faster," said Forde. "What was really outstanding about her performance this past weekend was her start. She has been struggling with her start for most of the season and after some adjustments she was finally able to get off the blocks. It is going to be hard to beat Devon if she gets off the blocks with everyone else."
Williams' performance over the weekend set her on top of The Valley's performance lists in both the 60- and 200-meters. The Oswego, Ill., native ran the 60 in 7.49 seconds, only six-hundredths of a second shy of breaking her personal-best and school record (7.43 sec.). She finished with a time of 24.45 sec. in the 200-meter dash.
"To have two performances that lead The Valley speaks volumes about her," said Forde. "It was really the first time this season that she showed the aggressive nature that you need to be showing when you are running sprints. I think that she is ready to go and is deserving of this award."
The Illinois State track and field team will compete Feb. 15-16 at the Iowa State Classic in Ames, Iowa. The meet is scheduled to begin with the running of the 60-meter hurdles at 10:15 a.m.
