Nicole Williams '25 Recruiting Profile

Starting track in my freshman year of high school was possibly the best decision of my life. After almost 11 years of competitive Irish dance that ended with a hip injury-- 11 years made complete by five National Championships, one World Championship, and at least 8 Regional Championships-- I needed a new start, and track was something that I had always wanted to do. Starting off was rocky, from COVID to my injury that had kept me away from anything active for a whole year. However, starting track was an exhilarating experience by allowing me to get back into competition, yet providing me with an entirely new environment to grow in. I started off slower yet continued to progress at a relatively quick rate for someone who had never ran track before, and this progression really got me excited for the sport. I was serious about it as I am for anything that I do-- full commitment always-- however, I wasn't sure how far I wanted to go with track. Sophomore year track started, and I progressed even more continuing on a pattern of dropping my times, and I became even more focused and committed to pushing myself to being the best I could be. I considered running in college, and that became my driving force to prepare even more for track in junior year. This extra push gave me goals not only for my current season but for my college future, and it also gave me time to work on myself mentally and physically. Track has become my meditation and relaxation despite its painful and tiresome activities. 

Although track is incredibly important to me, it is still second to my academics. Not only am I competitive on the track, but I always put myself in classes that can test my abilities and mental prowess. A challenge, for me, with the stress involved--to an extent of course-- has worked wonders in my quality of work for me. I do much better, and with the classes I am taking, I am able to reach the level of challenge for me to work extra hard. Academics has been so important for me, especially with my goals to get into the colleges I am striving towards. I make sure to keep averages of a high GPA and grades constantly, and it has been this way since middle school. This journey of challenging classes and constant self-pressure to do the best I can has led to me even choosing to pursue biochemistry or pre-medicine as majors in colleges-- though it was mostly love for the subjects and science that led me to choose them. To catch a break, I believe athletics is great to get away from all of this hard work, and it goes hand in hand with my academics in developing the person I am: determined, competitive, hard-working, and open to new challenges. 

Because of academics, track, and my career in dance, I was put in many positions that required me to step up and be a leader. Although apprehensive at first, I began to grow into being a good leader, learning confidence and responsibility from my parents and the things I could do to lead better from my peers. Due to this exposure, I was able to become captain of my track team as a sophomore and now as a junior. It tests my patience at times, but I feel that I have learned so much from being put in this position. Empathy and respect are the most important aspects, however patience and responsibility are things that have really been toned and developed with the opportunities I have gotten. It also gives me even more reason to work harder as I am setting an example for the others on my team; to work hard and do their best no matter the results. But track and school isn't all just about being serious and leading others, they also provide me with connections and the opportunity to hone my relationship with my friends. 

Overall, my life has been shaped by many challenges, highs and lows, and being able to do so much has allowed me to become the person I am today. The two very important aspects of my life--school and sports-- have contributed greatly to my confidence, discipline, and responsibility which I think are things that can benefit me in everything I do. Once I set my mind on something, there is little that can change my mentality, and this is what I believe to be my greatest strength. No matter what, my best is what everyone will get.