There are some student-athletes who are successful playing sports at the high school level. Very few of those them are able to translate those past achievements into success with college competition. Niki Williams has proven to be an exception to the rule in her four-year career as part of the track and cross country teams at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Williams, a senior political science major from Fayetteville, Ark., has been a devoted and accomplished runner for the Lions.
It is often difficult to balance athletic, and academic responsibilities, and even more difficult to find a good balance when you are involved with student organizations.
Williams is able to balance these well, and feels that other student-athletes should know the secret that has helped her juggle her innumerable responsibilities.
“If you’re an athlete, you are competitive by nature. Athletes need to transfer some of the competitive nature to academics,” Williams said. “Overall, try to bring the competitive nature in all that you do with school, and getting involved.”
Williams has to balance political science classes, her responsibilities as a team leader and also being heavily involved in the Student Government Association.
Williams has had a strong senior campaign in both track and cross-country this year. During the cross-country season, Williams was the top team finisher at 10 of the 11 meets that the Lions competed in.
At the Lone Star Conference cross country championship meet, Williams finished in sixth place overall. The sixth place finish allowed for her to be named to the 2006 LSC All-Conference team.
After the cross-country season was finished, Williams was named to the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
So far during the spring track season, Williams has maintained her dominance in the distance events that she has run, and even more so, she has been dominant in the 3000-meter steeplechase event.
During her track career at A&M-Commerce, the steeplechase event has been Williams strong suite, and one in which she continues to get better in every spring.
“The steeplechase is the event that I concentrate on, but I have the ability to do well in the 3000-meter run, but the steeplechase is something that I have really been able to work on and I think the older I get, the better I seem to get,” Williams said.
Williams is looking forward to the LSC Track and Field Championship meet, which will be hosted by A&M-Commerce and takes place May 4-6.
“I am hoping that when I go into the conference meet, I will be able to double up on some events, and do well for the team and the school, especially since we are hosting the conference,” Williams said.
Looking back on a successful and accomplished college career, Williams has noticed many ways in which she has grown as a runner and a leader.
“I am more devoted to running and I also have an increased dedication to helping myself and the team develop and making us all better.”
Williams’ honors have been numerous throughout her career at A&M-Commerce. She was named to LSC All-Conference teams in both cross-country and track, while also being named to the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
“I got my first honor during my sophomore cross country season, and at the time I got it, I was happy, but I didn’t understand the importance of it,” Williams said. “After that, I learned to expect that level of achievement from myself, and I didn’t want anything less. The honors have definitely set the bar higher for me.”
After graduation in May, Williams will prepare for her July departure with the Peace Corps, which is sending her to the Caribbean for two years.
After Peace Corps, Williams plans to return and pursue a Master’s degree in Political Science, with a focus on International Studies.
When thinking about her future after the Peace Corps and beyond, Williams said she hopes that in 10 years, “To be shocked and be somewhere I didn’t expect, and to be completely satisfied, wherever it is.”