Jayne Williams was recruited by Division I University at Buffalo for track. Photo by Donna MacKenzie
Honeoye Falls-Lima Class of 2024 graduate Jayne Williams may be in a league of her own. No one remembers the last time an HF-L student athlete was recruited by and signed with a NCAA Division I university for track.
Williams can make that claim as she is heading to the University at Buffalo this fall where she will major in Environmental Sustainability and minor in Legal Studies along with competing for UB’s indoor and outdoor track teams.
“I am looking at going into environmental law,” said Williams during a phone interview last week. “I’ve always had an interest in the environment and would like to help make the world a healthier place. I have also had an interest in law.”
In addition to UB, Williams was recruited by Division I Colgate University and also looked at St. John Fisher University, Nazareth University, Roberts Wesleyan College, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Brockport.
“I took several visits to UB,” she said. “The academics there are stellar and also their track facilities are great and I liked the coaching staff. That academic and athletic combination was a big factor.”
Williams, the daughter of Jennifer and James Williams, carried a 3.9 academic average. She took several challenging courses including Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Psychology and Biology.
Her activities in high school ranged from being in National Honor Society for two years and a part of the Green Team for three years to being a three-sport athlete in cross country running, indoor track and outdoor track. She credits being in the Green Team club to her decision on what major to pursue in college.
“My experience with the Green Team definitely helped shape my thinking as far as looking at environmental law as a career,” she said.
Williams competed on the cross country team for four years. Last fall, she placed ninth with a time of 19 minutes, 45.6 seconds at the Section V Class B Championships. Prior to running indoor track this past winter for the first time, she spent three years on the Nordic Ski team where she finished 13th with a time of 33:56 at the Section V Championships as a junior. This past winter in indoor track, Williams placed fifth in the 300 meters (42.43 seconds) and 13th in the 55 meters (7.72 seconds) in the Monroe County League Championship and second in the 300 meters (42.41 seconds) and fourth in the 55 meters (7.67 seconds) at the Section V Class A2 Championship.
Williams competed on the outdoor track team for four years. As a junior, she won the 400 meters (59.20) and placed second in the 200 meters (24.46) and fourth in the 100 meters (12.96) at the Section V Class B1 Championship. A captain of the team this past spring, she clocked 59.12 seconds for second in the 400 meters and 26.35 for third in the 200 meters at the Section V Class B1 Championship. She will primarily run the 400 meters at UB and maybe the 200 meters and on some relays.
Several awards and honors have come Williams’ way. She was on the High Honor Roll all through high school. She received the Ben Rowlinson Memorial American Legion Post 282 Award. In athletics, she received All-League 2nd team and All-Section V 2nd team honors in cross country and All-League 1st team honors in track as a junior. In her senior year, she earned All-League 2nd team honors in cross country running, All-League 2nd team honors in indoor track and All-League 2nd team honors in track.
Among the many teachers who inspired her at HF-L, Williams said that Megan Mansfield and Andrew Corey were at the top of her list.
“Mrs. Mansfield was one of my track coaches, in addition to being a physical education teacher,” Williams said. “She helped me with a lot of things athletically, like advising on the right nutrition, and helping me calm my nerves.
Mr. Corey was my biology teacher and also the Green Team’s faculty advisor. He always made his class engaging yet fun.”
