The Oregon men’s 4×100 relay team is still working on the exchange from leadoff leg Ryan Mulholland to second leg Micah Williams. Photo by Kevin Neri
As a freshman in March 2021, Oregon sprinter Micah Williams ran the 60 meters in 6.49 seconds to win the NCAA indoor championship. Later that season, he broke the school record when he ran the 100 meters in 9.91 seconds and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Track & Field team’s relay pool.
Despite that success, when he took his place in the preliminary round at the 2022 Indoor NCAA Championships in March, in Birmingham, Alabama, Williams felt uncomfortable.
“I had never been in an environment like how loud it was,” Williams said.
Just before the gun sounded to signal the start of the 60-meter race, Williams lost his footing and slipped. He committed a false start and forfeited the chance to defend his title.
Still, he didn’t leave Birmingham empty-handed. He learned a lesson that will help to make him a better and smarter sprinter.
“I didn’t know I could put my hand up if I felt uncomfortable,” he said. “I’ve been running track for so long, and I just didn’t know a lot of things, still.”
Williams was taken out of his comfort zone once again Saturday at the Hayward Premiere. Sprints coach Curtis Taylor altered Williams’ role in the 4×100 relay, moving him from the leadoff leg to the second leg — where he expects to stay.
He helped the Ducks win their second 4×100 relay of this season, this time in 39.53 seconds.
“It feels weird. I’m not used to the second leg, but I’ll get it down,” Williams said. “We do a lot of handoffs, that’s how we practice. I think by the time championships come, I’ll be ready for the second leg.”
His second leg moved the Ducks into second place, and it put Will Munday and Xavier Nairne in a good spot to finish off the job.
As he moves into the heart of the outdoor season, Williams has put his false start on the back burner.
“It’s pretty much out of my head by now,” Williams said. “I use it as motivation. I use it as a learning experience. I’m not dwelling on it, or crying about it.”
