(Photo by Jeremy Danzie)
Robert E. Lee senior Dominic Williams heads into the 2015 XC after running 4:16.81 on the track at 1,600m and finishing 8th at the 3A state meet. He is hoping to continue that momentum into cross country where he was 30th last year at the Cross Country Finals. We caught up with him in our XC Spotlight!
How long have you been running and how did you get started?
I've been running since the 7th grade. It began when my gym teacher would have everyone run laps around the track for 20 minutes on Fridays. One day my gym teacher told me that I should run track because she saw something in me that could be good, plus she said it would help me with conditioning for soccer.
Do you remember your first real race?
My first real race was also in the 7th grade. It was the Bob Hayes Invitational for middle school. I ran the 400m and I didn't do too well. I ended up getting 6th place in my heat and like 50th overall.
How is your summer training going?
I feel that my summer training is going really well. I actually got to run in the mountains, doing some hill training up in North Carolina at Brevard.
What is your favorite workout?
My favorite workout is on the track when we do 400 repeats. There was a point where I felt it was the worst but I got used to it and actually kinda like it now.
Which meets will you be running in this year?
This year the meets that I will be running are Spikes and Spurs, Katie Caples, Ponte Vedra, and the Bobcat Classic.
Do you have a favorite course?
So far my favorite course is the state meet course because I think it really is a true cross country course.
What do you think is the toughest course?
The toughest I think would also be the state meet course.
Out of all your running accomplishments so far, which stands out the most?
To me personally the most outstanding accomplishment for me was breaking my school record in the 1600. My teammate (Rayford James) broke the record the year before and it was 30 years old before he even broke it.
What are your goals for the upcoming cross country season?
My goals for this cross country season is to get in the low 15s in the 5k and also to make all-state this year.
What do you love most about running?
My favorite thing about running is that every time you step on that line to race, it's not always about racing the person next to you. A lot of the time it's about seeing how far you can push yourself mentally and physically.
Finish the sentence... Dominic Williams is ____.
Dominic Williams is competitive and motivated.
The Low Down
We wanted to get in-depth and personal with Dominic. Check out the low down.
Do you have a favorite quote?
My favorite quote is, "to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift"
Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines?
One thing that I always do and probably always will do is to pray and stretch right after each other.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite dish is something my mom makes and it's a Cambodian dish call "Kaw."
What was the last movie you saw and what did you think of it?
I think the last movie I watched was Furious 7. I really enjoyed that movie and I usually do enjoy their movies.
What brand of shoes do you train/race in?
The shoes that I train in is the Adidas boost shoes and just about any Asics. The shoes I race in is the Nike waffles.
What professional athlete would you like to meet the most?
The professional athlete I would like to meet the most would be Dwayne wade, because he was the first pro athlete that I ever started watching.
What is something most people don't know about you?
Something that most people don't know about me is that I really enjoy the art of dancing and how people do it differently, whether it is good or bad dancing.
Lastly, if you were stranded on an island with three things what would they be?
The three things that I would have on a stranded island would be a lighter, a decent knife, and a solar powered iPod. The knife for hunting, the lighter to make fire to cook, and the iPod to make sure I can try and keep my peace of mind.
