After recording the best 100-meter hurdles time in Ball State history earlier this month, junior Amber Williams didn't advance to the finals heat of the NCAA Championships.
"I was a little disappointed that I hadn't made the finals [with my time]," Williams said of her 13.18-second finish. It appeared that Williams' 10th-place finish had also kept her from being a First Team All-American. The honor is usually given to the top eight athletes across the nation in each track and field event.
However, the second criteria is that those eight athletes be American-born, and two of the hurdlers who finished ahead of Williams at the NCAA meet were foreign-born athletes. Williams wasn't seeded in the top 20, but was able to finish 10th, making her an unlikely All-American.
"I was completely shocked when I heard," Williams said Wednesday. "I wasn't expecting it at all. It feels great to be named an All-American because I was able to step up and earn that honor."
The First Team All-American selections were released June 11 and assistant coach Steve Rajewsky heard about Williams' honor earlier this week.
While Williams was shocked to find out she was an All-American, Rajewsky said his first thoughts were elation.
"It's cool for our program and Ball State, but even more so, it's a great honor for her," Rajewsky said. "It's been a goal of hers to become an All-American and improve every year."
Rajewsky said Williams has been a strong performer during her first two years with the Cardinals. However, injuries had prevented her from reaching her full potential.
"I wouldn't say it was far fetched for her to become an All-American," Rajewsky said. "On paper she has been healthy indoors, but hasn't been healthy outdoors. It was a matter if she could stay healthy and put the races together to make it to the point where she has a chance to compete in the NCAA Championships."
The amount of national recognition has already increased for Williams before the First Team All-American selection, Rajewsky said.
"She's being looked at as someone who could be considered one of the top hurdlers in the country," Rajewsky said. "That doesn't mean there's more expectation. She's just not going to surprise anybody next year."
Williams hopes the national recognition will translate into an even more successful senior season. Next year, the junior said, she wants to finish in the top eight NCAA athletes in the world.
"I want to make sure I'm not an All-American by default next year," Williams said with a laugh. "I expect to do a lot more than I even did this season."
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