Hillsboro freshman Jailyn Williams makes state debut in DII 800-meter run

COLUMBUS — Hillsboro freshman Jailyn Williams made her state debut in the Division II 800-meter run at the OHSAA State Track and Field Championship on Saturday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, and in doing so she defeated two other racers in her 15th-place finish. 

Williams was the only freshman to qualify for the state 800m run in Division II, and in the race against 16 other runners that consisted of four seniors, nine juniors and three sophomores, Williams competed against the very best in Division II and held her own against those other 16 runners (one runner didn’t start the race).

In the two-lap race, Williams’ first lap was 1:06.65, and her second lap in the 96-degree heat was 1:17.75 for the final time of 2:24.40. 

Following the race, Williams talked about the experience of running at state for the first time.

“It was a good experience, especially for upcoming years, due to the fact that I was the only freshman coming into this,” Williams said. “I was pretty much placed last, but it was good to not get to last and be pushed against some of the best runners in the state.

“I've run track since seventh grade, and I didn’t go to state for two years (seventh and eighth grade), but now that I’m in high school and a freshman, it was harder to get to, but it was a pride thing now knowing I can get it now.”

The state champion in the event was Ottawa-Glandorf senior Alexa Fortman at 2:09.96.

Williams said she knew all the runners would be good in the race, and it was what she expected.

“I knew the other girls were going to be good, and I knew there was going to be competition,” Williams said. “I stayed with them.” 

Being her first season running at the high school varsity level, Williams finished with a spectacular season. The freshman earned a 2023 Frontier Athletic Conference championship at 2:25.42. From there, during the district championships, Williams finished in third place at 2:26.36. 

When Williams became a state qualifier, her time at the regional championship came in at 2:20.39.

“When I made state last week, I was supposed to get ninth, and I pulled out fourth place. That was the goal, and that’s what I wanted,” Williams said. “I was pretty proud of myself, and I think it made it even better knowing I was the only freshman.

“I also want to say thank you to my coaches and my parents for dealing with all my track stuff.”