Harrison Williams
Between classes for his double major of music production and economics and rehearsals for Occidental’s Symphony Orchestra, Harrison Williams (junior) recorded wins in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles Feb. 10 against Pomona-Pitzer. Williams set a personal record of 40.89 in the 300-meter race.
“It was just a nice day and a great day to PR,” Williams said. “I think it’s kind of as simple as that.”
According to Williams, the race was the first real meet of the season, and he feels more confident about where he is now than past seasons. Williams said his off-season training and overall growth at Occidental have made him less afraid of the physical toll of a race.
“Running a 400 will be the most tired most people will ever be in their entire life,” Williams said. “I think I’ve become less scared of being tired and more ready to give my all. I’m really just trying to beat my previous self and get better and better.”
Track and field coach Tyler Yamaguchi said Williams’s pre-season preparation this year has already paid dividends on the track.
“He’s always been a hard worker, but I’ve seen just a new level of commitment [and] work ethic,” Yamaguchi said.
In addition to his dedication, Yamaguchi said Williams’s attitude and hunger to compete make him stand out against his opponents from the moment he lines up next to them.
“He said one day, ‘Coach, I got that dog in me,’” Yamaguchi said. “He was joking a little bit, but it’s true. He has that little edge that, when push comes to shove, he’s the one that’s going to push that extra one percent near the finish.”
Though he competes in individual events, Williams said being around successful teammates pushes him to do better, and that the most exciting part of finishing his races is getting to cheer on the team afterwards. He also said that many others are deserving of the spotlight for their performances at the Pomona-Pitzer meet.
“Shane [Kawakami-Williams] ran an awesome race, Francesca [Candelieri] did a great job and I was super proud of Charlie [Service], he ran a strong time,” Williams said. “There’s a lot of people worthy of athlete of the week.”
Both men’s and women’s track and field will participate in the first SCIAC multi-dual of the season Mar. 2 at home against Cal Lutheran, La Verne, and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
Sarah Radle
Swimmer Sarah Radle (junior) said her first time in a pool was at just six months old for a mother-child swim class, and the rest — including 4 wins at the Feb. 10 tri-meet against Whittier and Redlands — is history. She placed first in the 500-yard freestyle, the 100-yard backstroke and contributed to wins in the 400-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard medley relay.
With the wide range of styles, Radle said she has to change her game plans, especially between sprints like a 100-yard and longer races like a 500-yard.
“You could just put your head in the water and swim for a 200,” Radle said. “A 500 takes more thinking […] you have to remember, ‘Oh, I have to lay off my legs a little bit and only pull,’ or ‘I need to build this 50 up.’ Each individual race swims differently, and you have to learn what works for your body.”
Head swim and dive coach Haley Meryl said Radle’s open communication and competitiveness make her one the best assets to the team, as well as her ability to contribute outside of her usual events.
“She’s super versatile,” Meryl said. “Those weren’t necessarily her best events, but she still won them.”
Radle said this season had been a new challenge for her after returning from a semester abroad, during which she did not swim at all.
“Coming back into it was really difficult, physically demanding things,” Radle said. “I had felt pain from swimming that I had never felt before in my entire life, because I’ve never really taken a break like that.”
Despite the time away, Meryl said that Radle quickly took on a leadership role and brought a welcome attitude and organization to the team. Radle said she has always sought out opportunities to lead, even in her return from abroad.
“I enjoy having my opinion out there and working with others to figure out if there [are] issues with things,” Radle said. “This is the first year I feel like I have a kind of influence because I’m an upperclassman.”
While she likes the competition, she said swimming can be a source of calm for her as well, whether that means swimming with a clear, empty mind or brainstorming essays to type out later.
“I love swimming, because it’s very peaceful to me at times,” Radle said. “You’re left alone with your own thoughts.”
Women’s Swim and Dive SCIAC Championships begin Feb. 22 at East Los Angeles College and are hosted by Occidental.
Contact Kawena Jacobs at jacobsk@oxy.edu
