Here we've got Joseph Williams from Alpharetta for a senior spotlight moment:
What are your high school PRs so far?
53.13 400mH, 37.45 300mH, 14.11 110mH, 21.69 200m, 48.8 400m, 10.71 100m
What are your college plans, if you have them figured out?
I am signed to Howard University track, and I am studying civil engineering.
What's your most memorable race or race you're most proud of?
I'm most proud of anchoring my team's 4x400 relay at Marietta last year, where we ran 3:14.75,
putting us .06 away from our school record.
What has been your biggest challenge in high school or what has been the hardest obstacle to
overcome?
My first two years I had some bad injuries, which was difficult to overcome physically and mentally.
What is your typical warm up routine and/or weight room routine like?
I start with a warm-up lap, then to my dynamic stretches and drills, and then depending on the day,
I'll do either a hurdle workout, 400 work, or speed work.
What do you think is the biggest part of training that has helped you achieve success?
The biggest part of training that has helped me succeed is that every day is a competition between
me and my teammates. I have a teammate that runs 10.6 in the 100m, my weaker event, so I push
myself to compete with him, and I have another teammate nationally ranked in the hurdles, so that
helps push me on the hurdle days.
What is your all-time favorite workout?
My all-time favorite workout is the speed ladder. 100-120-150-180-150-120-100
What is your least favorite or hardest workout?
My least favorite workout is definitely alternating broken 500s, 300-200 on the first set, and then
200-300 on the second. The backend 300 makes me question life.
Who do you have to thank for your success?
100% my coaches. They took me from where I was to where I am now. My teammates have also
pushed me a ton, so I owe them too.
Who do you look up to the most in your event?
Rai Benjamin in the hurdles, but in track overall, I look up to Yohan Blake. He has some of the best
work ethic I've ever seen and is humble despite his success.
What gets you pumped up for a training session or race?
I love to race, so even at practice, if we're racing, I'll naturally start to pump up and feel the
adrenaline, but when I can, I like to listen to J. Cole to get me ready to race.
What is your favorite food and/or movie and/or TV show and/or song?
My favorite food is pork tacos with pineapple and my favorite song is Heart of the City by JAY-Z
What will you miss the most about high school?
I'm going to miss my teammates and coaches the most for sure. It'll be strange running without
them for the first time in four years.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to lighten up a bit. I think early on I put too much pressure on myself, but
it's so much easier to improve when you're having fun and reminding yourself that you got to enjoy
everything, not just success.
