Track Star Williams Lights Up RCT
Track Star Williams Lights Up RCT
There was a lot of action at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Cup Tournament (RCT) – the largest girls all-star tournament in the circuit with eight teams – but a few players managed to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the field. Daz Williams quite literally enjoyed some separation, as the first-season wing’s breakaways and long-range tries were a major component to Pennsylvania's championship run (read more).
“She was the top new interest in young players,” reported USA Rugby scout Scott Stratton, who had also refereed the West Shore United player during the regular season. “She is one of the top players probably in the country speed wise. She is not small – tall and strong. She showed a lot of great rugby skill on Sunday.”
“She's pretty amazing; just needs some experience,” Pennsylvania all-star coach Tony DeRemer added. “So athletic, so fast – can’t say enough about her. And she’s so nice, an awesome person. I don't think she quite understands what potential she has.”
Now a senior at Cedar Cliff High School, Williams has experienced a lot of success in track and field, and also excels at volleyball and basketball. Her personal bests include a 12 sec. 100m, 25.03 sec. 200m, 19.05 ft. long jump, 5.5 ft. high jump, and 133 ft. javelin. She’s a regular at the Mid-Penn and district championships, and ended this season with the 2015 Outstanding Female Performer at the Pan-Ram Invitational. And college programs have been noticing.
“Louisiana State has been looking at me and so have 42 other colleges,” Williams confirmed her popularity. “LSU is standing out the most. I haven’t received any scholarship offers yet, just letters of intent.”
A bright future and plenty of extracurricular activities to divide one’s time, why did Williams add rugby to the fold? Williams played football for five years when she was younger, and she also had friends on West Shore United who asked her to come out. So she attended a game, liked what she saw, and as soon as she got her mom’s approval, she was on the starting roster. That was five months ago.
“I’ve loved it ever since,” Williams said. “What I like most about the sport is that I can run fast and hit hard, and that’s OK to do in this sport. Also, you meet a lot of different people.”
Williams left a lasting impression at the Mid-Atlantic RCT, as the wing chased down a Sophie Pyrz kick, gathered the ball on her knee, took a couple of strides and then raced 60 meters for the game-winning points in the final. Pennsylvania went on to beat Indiana 22-19 for the trophy. Now that the rugby world knows Williams’ name, it’s imperative to hold her attention, and that could come at the Stars & Stripes camp in Greeley, Colo., where the power wing will compete alongside some of the best high school rugby talent in the country. She'd also get a better understanding of the opportunities available at the higher levels of the game.
“Yes, I would accept an invite to Stars & Stripes, and yes, I can see myself playing rugby at a higher level because I do really like the sport,” Williams said. “But I also love track and volleyball because I’m so athletic. It’s where life takes me.”
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