By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Garret Williams was in calculus class Thursday morning when he heard a number that was appealing.
He was one of 50 multi-sport athletes statewide selected by the Illinois High School Association as honorees on the All-State Academic Honorable Mention team.
A friend gave him the news early in the school day.
Knowing how friends like to play games with one another, Williams wasn’t immediately elated.
“I didn’t believe him at first,” Williams said.
For confirmation, all it took was to glance at the IHSA website where the 26 first-teamers and the 50 honorable mention selections were listed.
Sure enough, one of the names was that of Mahomet-Seymour senior Garret Williams.
As he worked his way through the application process, Williams thought he might have a shot at recognition from the state organization.
“I have had some of the greatest teammates possible in cross-country and I thought the success we had as a team could cast me in a good light,” Williams said.
The cross-country teams finished second, first and first at state in Class 2A during the three years since Williams transferred from Urbana prior to the start of his sophomore year.
All three years, he was one of the team’s top 12 runners.
“Garret has been one of our leaders since he first arrived,” M-S cross-country coach Neal Garrison said. “He has driven our team both as a physical leader and as a great moral support teammate.
“He has an outstanding work ethic which can be seen in both his academics and athletics. We are fortunate to have Garret and his family move to Mahomet. I have no doubt he will continue to be a positive influence on those around him in the future.”
Williams, who wrote a 32 on the ACT, has participated in track each of the past two years and added swimming as a senior.
He will compete individually in the butterfly and individual medley in Saturday’s sectional meet at Urbana.
Williams credits his cross-country teammates for helping him achieve at a high level following his transfer.
“I was used to straight A’s and I was getting a ‘C’ in a class (Algebra II) and it really bothered me,” he said. “I struggled academically and the cross-country team took me under their wing. The academics at Mahomet were a step up and classes were more difficult.
“I had a lot of guidance from the guys above me. They helped me raise those grades.”
Also beneficial was what he gleaned from the daily cross-country practices.
“Through the lessons in workouts I learned about perseverance, Williams said.
Williams plans to enroll at the University of Nebraska in the fall as a pre-med major. He will participate in the Army ROTC program.
“Eventually, I’d like to be a doctor in the U.S. Army,” he said.
Participating in sports hasn’t added pressure to Williams, who said he generally has “one to two hours of homework each night.”
He looks at his extra-curricular activities as a welcome release from the school day.
“It’s like recess,” he said. “You don’t get recess in high school.
“I have fun with my teammates. It’s a chance to talk and socialize.”
In order to remain a multi-sport M-S athlete as a senior, he joined the swimming team for the first time.
“I thought it could be fun and it was something new I wanted to try,” Williams said.
Since M-S has no pool, every practice requires travel to Champaign or Urbana.
“The coaches are very good working you into their schedule,” Williams said, “and making sure that academics come first.
“A lot of it comes down to time management and using your time wisely during the school day.”
Though he won’t compete in track for the Bulldogs in the spring, Williams won’t leave running far behind.
“I’m training for the half-marathon (at the University of Illinois, in April),” he said, “and I’m doing strength and conditioning training for the ROTC.”
As for his IHSA honor, Williams said, “it highlights the success we had in cross-country. The cross-country guys are some of my closest friends. Throughout workouts together, we’ve built a tight bond.
“They help keep it fun and keep it engaging. Everyone on the team works so hard on their academics.”
Though Williams had to become acquainted with a new set of friends to run with after transferring, he said it has been worthwhile.
“Mahomet is a great school district,” he said. “I’m very happy here.”
