By: Kimberly Smith
Kim Smith
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of making mistakes and learning from them, it was Sam Williamson and his high school achievements. Who is Sam and why is he memorable? He is a cross country and track athlete at Antwerp LHS, who brings a work ethic to the team that helps elevate his teammates around him.
Sam first started running distance in track when he was in seventh grade and began cross country the following year. As a little boy, Sam was known to be a fast runner and because of that, he was always encouraged by the people around him to keep running. Sam has now been involved with competitive running for the last five years. What can he say? Competing and racing is just what he loves to do. “Cross is a fun activity to do with others,” Sam tells us. He has made an abundance of friends in the process. There is a profusion of ways to vent different feelings and stress; and running happens to be Sam’s outlet. He informs us that it is a way to get his mind off of things.
Sam brings direction to the teams he joins. He may not say much, but his actions bestow leadership in a way that only he can provide. What has Sam meant to the athletic department? He has definitely not been taken for granted. Coach Altimus at Antwerp Local apprises the public that Sam has “brought the sport of cross country to the forefront of our community.” Antwerp’s student body may now have the mind set that getting to state in cross country several years in a row is an attainable goal if you are dedicated to your goals, thanks to Sam.
Sam is a very valued and accomplished athlete at Antwerp Local. Cord Ehrhart, teacher and coach, conveys that “Sam has had so many accomplishments, it is very hard to pick just one.” Coach Ehrhart went ahead to say that Sam’s performance at the state meet last fall was one of Sam’s best highlights of his high school career, although a tough call for coach Ehrhart. During GMC’s, Sam set the permanent record for the Grover Hill course and beat the old record by thirty seconds.
Sam plans to go on to college after graduating and he intends to major in sports management. He has full intentions of participating in track and cross country while attending college. The Antwerp student body is cheering you on Sam, keep up the good work.
