Williamson repeats as champion

For the second year in a row, Michigan freshman-to-be wide receiver D.J. Williamson of Warren Harding has won the Division I state title in Ohio in the 100-meter dash. This time around, however, he expanded on that accomplishment, also claiming the 200-meter dash crown. In addition, he helped Harding to claim the overall team championship after falling just 14 points shy of that goal a year ago.

"It felt good," he stated "I wasn't really expecting to win the 200, but I did … It's exciting. It's my senior year and to go out with a bang like that defending my 100 title, winning the 200, and then on top of that we won the team state title too."

Williamson ran the 100 in 10.64 seconds and the 200 in 21.46 seconds. He also participated in a third place finish in the 4x200 relay. Despite his success as a runner and the recent trend of Wolverine football players participating in sprints, the young athlete has not considered continuing his track career at Michigan.

"I don't know, I haven't really thought about it," he noted. "I got to watch [Denard Robinson] run the 60-meter dash when I was on my official visit. He's real fast. That's the fastest I've ever seen someone run."

While he has not given much thought to running at the college level, Williamson is confident that his success on the track will translate well to his play on the gridiron.

"It helps me a lot," he said. "Speed is big at the receiver spot. It helps a lot to beat the defender deep and it takes up a lot of team game planning when the other team has someone fast, because you can't fully defend speed."

Williamson graduated from high school last week and plans to head up to Ann Arbor on June 26. When he arrives, he will face stiff competition for early playing time, with the three other members of the freshman class of receivers having already acclimated to college life and gone through spring practice. Despite the challenge, he is anxious to work at earning his opportunities.

"I just can't think about how they've been there all that time," he noted. "I just have to go out and compete and catch on quickly. Just do what I do … My plan is just to get going and get my grades up first. That's the main part. Just stay on task."