by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

Angela Williams didn’t have too much passion for running two years ago.

She can’t imagine enjoying anything more than running now.

And Williams will continue to run. And run. And run.

The Hudson senior distance standout recently signed a national letter of intent to continue her cross country and track careers at The Ohio State University.

Williams, who hopes to pursue a career in education, will be running quite a few miles for the Scarlet and Gray. In fact, it might be hard to picture her doing anything other than running.

Williams, 18, plans to compete for the cross country team in the fall, the indoor track and field team in the winter and the outdoor track team during the spring.

“And I’ll be running in the summer to train for cross country,” Williams said with a smile.

So how can this be?

Two years ago, Williams probably would have been a little tentative to consider such pursuits. She obviously excelled at running, but it took some time for her to fall in love with it.

“I liked running, but it took me awhile for me to consider it my passion,” Williams said. “It seemed like I was running all the time and I didn’t have time for friends or a social life.”

Nowadays, running is a major part of Williams’ life. She wouldn’t want it any other away.

“I’m a little older now, so I’m ready for it,” Williams said.

She’s more than ready.

Williams finished eighth in the 1,600-meter race at the 2009 Division I state track and field meet at, fittingly, Ohio State’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium.

That performance came several months after she finished eighth at the 2008 state cross country meet.

Head girls cross country Ed Hoffmeier, who also coaches the distance runners on the track team, believes Williams’ best times have yet to come.

“I think she can run a sub-five-minute mile,” he said. “I have coached her for three years and she has worked super hard. 

“She’s a great athlete and a great person.”

Hoffmeier helped revive Williams’ running career.

“I’ve appreciated everything Ed has done,” Williams said. “I love him to death. He brought be back into running.”

Williams can breathe a little easier now. She doesn’t have to deal with the stress of choosing a college anymore.

Williams can devote her full attention to spring as she hopes to return to the state meet.

She’s very anxious to get there for other reasons, too.

“It’s going be my home track,” Williams said. “[Ohio State] was where I wanted to go from the beginning. I had some good offers from other schools, but I visited Ohio State a few times and I loved it.”

Williams will have to make some adjustments on the collegiate level. 

She will be competing against some of the best athletes in the country, so the talented teenager will have her work cut out for her.

Thankfully for Williams, she wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I’m looking forward to doing some cross training, which I’ve never done before,” Williams said. 

“I’m looking forward to have someone train me for workouts that are based strictly for me.”

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914