Williams vs. Francis matchup highlights New Balance Boise Indoor
By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor
The destination this summer is still uncertain for Lauren Rain Williams, with the Oaks Christian junior star weighing her options when it comes to competing at the U.S. Junior National Championships in June – the selection meet for the IAAF World Junior Championships – or the U.S. Olympic Trials in July.
Where the journey will begin is definite for Williams, who returns to Nampa, Idaho, to open her season at the New Balance Boise Indoor.
Williams, who hasn’t raced since capturing a silver medal in the 200 meters in July at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia, is looking to recapture the magic on Jacksons Track following her record-setting performance last year inside Ford Sports Center.
Williams set the national indoor sophomore 200 record last season by clocking 23.39 seconds, eclipsing the 2008 mark of 23.43 held by Ashton Purvis from St. Elizabeth in Oakland. Williams’ time was the fastest indoor performance in the country last year and No. 7 all-time.
“I’m extremely excited to try and break my record for the second time since my freshman year,” said Williams, who first set the 200 meet record of 24.38 as a freshman.
“I feel like I have really improved during my training this fall. I have used the experience from Colombia as a learning tool to change some things and improve other things in my training. Since this is my second year running in high school, I feel more confident coming into this season and I’m thrilled for this meet.”
The 200 finals Friday will match the nation’s two fastest returning outdoor talents, with Williams squaring off against Rio Mesa senior Zaria Francis, the defending California state 100 and 200 champion.
Francis, a USC signee, could also square off against Williams in the 60-meter final Saturday. Francis ran 7.56 in an outdoor 60 race Jan. 16 at Westmont College.
The elite sprinters will see plenty of one another during the next five months in their pursuit to become the fastest high school female in the country after 16-year-old Candace Hill of Rockdale County (Georgia) turned professional and signed with adidas in December.
Hill posted the fastest outdoor times by a prep athlete last year after clocking 10.98 in the 100 at the Brooks PR Invitational – with Francis taking second and Williams placing fourth – and 22.43 to win the World Youth title in the 200.
Mount Pleasant senior Darius Carbin, a bronze medalist in the high jump at the World Youth Championships, is also scheduled to compete in Nampa. Carbin is entered in the long jump, triple jump and 60-meter hurdles.
Harrison Schrage of Grant High in Oregon, who ran 6.86 in the 60 and leaped 24-3 in the long jump at last year's meet, is entered in both events again, along with the 400 and 4 x 200 relay.
Distance talents Garek Bielaczyc of Utah's Salt Lake City East, Michael Slagowski of Rocky Mountain (Idaho), along with Aubrey Argyle and Courtney Wayment of Davis (Utah) are also scheduled to compete, along with hurdling stars Reonna Collier and Jurnee Woodward of Vacaville.
The New Balance Boise Indoor is the first of two premier indoor meets in Idaho in February, along with the Simplot Games, scheduled for Feb. 18-20 at Idaho State.
