Ci’ara Williams graduated from Waterville Senior High School, but she was born in Phoenix. So when she enrolled at Northern Arizona University and heard the area got snow, she just laughed it off the way any winter-hardened Mainer would.

“The first time I visited Flagstaff (in Arizona) was for my freshman orientation,” Williams said. “I figured it would be just frost on the ground, like morning dew.”

Additional Photos

UP AND OVER: Waterville Senior High School graduate Ci’ara Williams runs the hurdle events at Northern Arizona University. Contributed photo

But Williams, who is on the track teams at NAU, got a little bit more than frost and morning dew this winter — enough, in fact, to remind her of Waterville.

“It’s kind of similar,” she said. “The only difference is there’s no humidity. We get a lot of snow here — probably not as much as back home, but enough to cave in a few roofs.”

Williams specializes in the hurdles in college, but her first experience in that event was one of frustration and quick resignation.

“That was actually (Waterville coach) Ian Wilson’s idea,” she said. “He was the one that pushed me to it. At first, I tried it. I was so scared. I quit. I was like, ‘I’m done with this.’ “

Wilson tried again a few months later, and Williams took to the sport well enough that she was second at states in the 100 hurdles in June 2008. Upon graduation, she decided to move back west.

“I always wanted to come back to Arizona, and NAU seemed to be the best out of the three top universities here,” Williams said. “I really liked the size of the school. I knew I’d get a lot out of it.”

The coach who works directly with Williams is Jacquelyn Johnson, a 2008 Olympian and a seven-time national champion at Arizona State.

“We heard the name, and we figured out who she was, and we were really hyped,” Williams said. “When you work with her, she’s just as silly as we are. She has her serious moments, and we get scared a bit. She’s a big help to us.”

For her part, Johnson agrees with the idea that Williams herself is silly.

“She’s very coachable,” Johnson said. “She’s a very happy, giddy person. Her personality is out of the water sometimes. Sometimes I have to tell her, ‘Where’d we find you?’ “

Johnson has worked with Williams on “attacking” the hurdles and sees potential in her student.

“I see her making conference and being in the final eight, and hopefully winning a medal (top three) soon,” Johnson said.

Williams is majoring in sociology with a minor in social work.

“I really feel like my mother influenced that, because she’s in social work,” Williams said.

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

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