Centennial runner posts fastest time in Southern Nevada

Courtesy photo

Centennial junior Nathan Williams, right, competes in the Foot Locker Western Regionals on Saturday in Walnut, Calif. He finished in 16th place on the 3.1 mile course in 16 minutes, 22 seconds.

By Sean Ammerman (contact)

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008 | 7:05 p.m.

Centennial runner Nathan Williams capped off a cross country year that included a team state championship by taking 16th in the Foot Locker Western Region Championships on Saturday.

Williams ran the 3.1 mile-race, which included the 160 of the best high school runners from 10 western states, in 16 minutes, 22 seconds to be the fastest Southern Nevada boy.

While the time did not get him in the top-10, which would have earned him a spot in the Foot Locker National Championships this Saturday, Williams was named to the Second Team All-Western Region Team and the Nevada State Team.

"Everything worked out very well for me that day," Williams said. "I didn't expect to place so high. I'm really proud of the year."

The regional course at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif., was a challenging blend of straightaways and hills, Williams said.

The first mile is mostly level, however the end of the course features several hills.

"I didn't start out too fast, which was good for me," Williams said. "Once I hit the final hill I started to hold back a little and I let it all out at the end."

William's second wind in the final quarter mile helped him pass about 10 runners, he said.

He vastly improved on his 75th placing from last year, which was on a flatter course, and posted a 5:16 mile average.

Next year, Williams will be the No. 8 returning senior in the race.

"Nathan really excels on the courses that test your endurance," his father, Daniel Williams said. "The endurance races are what really set the top runners apart."

Nathan Williams was the second fastest Nevadan in the race, as Sierra Lutheran junior Wade Meddles took 11th at 15:53.

In the girl's race, Coronado's Michaelanne Laurent led all Nevadans by taking 23rd at 19:27. She was followed by Centennial's Brittany Williams, Nathan's sister, who took 79th at 21:17, and Coronado's Lauren Lucas, who took 86th at 21:40.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or sean.ammerman@hbcpub.com.