Junior Shaw Williams joined the track team as a freshman with no track experience as a competitive runner. Three years later, he goes on to become the next captain of the Boys Varsity Track team and a decorated athlete.
Over his junior year, Shaw had multiple top ten finishes, including a number one finish in the 400 meter dash at Martin Van Buren.
Although his achievements would suggest otherwise, Shaw’s first introduction to track was at Townsend Harris. Track coach George Rio says, “Shaw came to us very raw as a freshman, very raw but with a lot of potential and talent.”
Shaw said, “the mile runs in PE at first were very tiring, but over time, I grew to love them and I decided to join the track team and see how I could improve myself and contribute to the team.”
Senior Alex Yauri, one of the current track captains, said, “From his first day on the team, I could always see the determination behind his eyes. He’s always had the motivation to continue to grow and take any feedback into consideration.”
Coach Rio said that from Shaw’s raw talent, they were “able to work on his mechanics to make him one of the best runners in the city.”
Shaw not only contributes to the track team through his exceptional performance, but he also is, in Coach Rio’s own words, an “inspiration” to the team.
Sophomore Dennis Jeffery said that Shaw “has always supported [him] both before and after the race, no matter what the outcome was” and that “he’s been an encouraging presence on the team with him always coming to practice and helping you push through the workouts.”
Sophomore and a member on the track team Gissiuipe Volpe said that “one time I was thinking of not going to practice but Shaw talked to me in the locker room and made me change my mind and come.”
Shaw leads by example, according to Dennis, “He always shows up to practice even when he is tight on time or doesn’t want to, always comes to the workouts after, and puts in his full effort every day.”
When asked about his goals as a captain for next year, Shaw said, “I’d really love to be the best captain I can and inspire and support the team as best as I can.” He also said his goal for next year is to “be able to reach and qualify for nationals.”
Alex said, “I would not be surprised to see him qualify for states. If not, I am sure he will continue to score high amongst those his age.” Coach Rio said that he expects Shaw to “be up there as a city champ,” and that he expects him to beat the two-minute mark in the 800m, a big deal in HS track.
