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Oaks Christian CA Senior Lauren Rain Williams Released From National Letter of Intent With USC, Commits To Oregon

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DyeStat.com   Apr 11th 2017, 10:33pm
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Williams looks to future at Oregon

Oaks Christian sprinter, a two-time New Balance Nationals Indoor champion and winner of California individual, relay and team titles, is released from USC after signing national letter of intent in November to attend Pac-12 rival instead

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Lauren Rain Williams’ future in high school track is uncertain as she remains sidelined indefinitely with a leg injury.

But the Oaks Christian CA senior confirmed her future in college Monday by verbally committing to the University of Oregon after being released from signing her national letter of intent to attend USC in November.

“USC is great institution and has been my dream school from a young age. I’ve had so many great role models like my cousins, doctors and friends who have attended there, so it seemed like the obvious choice at the time,” Williams said. “I also thought it would be nice to be close to home with a great sprint coach like (Caryl Smith Gilbert). As the weeks have passed, I’ve began to reconsider my choice. Oregon was very high on my list and I enjoyed the visit so much and I feel that I didn’t give enough consideration with my initial commitment.”

Williams, a two-time New Balance Nationals Indoor 200-meter champion and 2015 World Youth silver medalist in the outdoor 200, is the latest high-profile sprinter to decide to attend Oregon to train under Ducks associate head coach Curtis Taylor, following English Gardner, Jenna Prandini, Jasmine Todd, Deajah Stevens, Hannah Cunliffe and Ariana Washington.

“This was a hard decision and after a few weeks, I decided to go to my parents and tell them that this was something I really wanted to do,” said Williams, whose wind-aided 22.44 in the 200 at last year’s CIF-Southern Section Division 4 finals is No. 3 all-time for a prep sprinter under all conditions.

“We all came to the conclusion that this would be the best place for me. I was happy that my parents were very open and supportive with my decision and I’m glad to be an Oregon Duck.”

Mike Cunliffe, Hannah’s father, has long been a mentor for Williams throughout her track career. The opportunity to potentially be teammates with Stevens, Washington and Hannah Cunliffe was a significant factor in Williams’ decision.

“I am very excited,” said Williams, who contributed to Oaks Christian’s 4x100 relay and state team titles in 2015 and won the 100-meter championship last year, before a right hamstring injury denied her a chance at the 200 crown.

Williams suffered her recent leg injury March 30 while running her first 100 of the season in a dual meet against Agoura, falling to the infield turf before the midway point of the race. In order to compete in the CIF-Southern Section postseason, Williams would need to race and qualify May 5 at the Marmonte League finals.

 



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