In 1997, Christie Winkle of Washington set the 4A record for a 100-meter dash at 11.66.

These days, schools function under a divisional format in the state track and field events, but nevertheless, that 11.66 is still a goal to strive for.

Violet Williams, a junior track star from Prescott, won gold in the 100 meter as a freshman with a 12.41 time and now enters the 2024 Girls State Track and Field Championships with a 12.11 personal best.

Only Stacey Onyepunuka from Agua Fria is ahead of her with a 11.70 mark, which could make championship weekend May 3-4 at Deer Valley High School in Glendale all the more interesting.

The junior also sits third in the 200-meter qualifier with a 25.28 time, not far behind Onyepunuka’s 23.61.

Williams’ development as a sophomore was stalled due to an ACL injuring during soccer season that sidelined her for nearly a year.

The 4.0 GPA student said she’s “proud” of how far she’s come since the injury.

“That’s what one of the hardest things I had to push through. My recovery was nine months to a year. I was in denial for so long, I was just trying to keep going, push past it. But after surgery, it hits you,” Williams said. “And at six months in, you feel fine. You feel you can go out there. But everyone is telling you no, you can’t, you’re not ready.”

That turned the ultra-competitive Williams into making her feel “unsure” of herself.

“You never know if you’re going to be that fast again. It was really rough; I know some people handle it better. I know it took a toll on me,” Williams said. “Sophomore year was rough.”

So when she was able to start training again, and ran a personal best 12.11 in the 100 meter in her first competitive race, she was beside herself.

“I had chills for myself,” Williams said. “I’m proud of myself for getting back to where I was my freshman year. So, I’m focused on being happy with the progress from that. I love competition, so I like to see how far I can go.”

Williams, who spends her free time hiking, backpacking, skiing, climbing, rafting, and anything else “outdoorsy” as she put it, plans to pursue environmental engineering in college.

“I can do well in English, but I’d rather take a math class, I know that sounds terrible,” Williams said with a laugh. “It’s AP season, so I’m studying and trying to get reason for state so it’s kind of stressful.”

That “stress” is channeled into competition, Williams said.

“Being athletic and using my body to exercise, it’s super important. It makes me feel better. When I’m stressed out, it’s a way to filter my mind,” Williams said, “I excel at track. Doing well at races isn’t the only thing. I like to see how far I can push myself. I’m super competitive, for better or worse.”

OTHER NOTES

Top D-III Girls Seeds, 1,600 meter: Evangeline Dunckley, Saguara, 5:09.14; 100 meter hurdles: Karsten Lewis, Canyon del Oro, 14.56; 800 meter: Tally Call, ALA, 2:17.64; 300 meter hurdles: Karsent Lewis, Canyon del Oro, 44.29; 400 meter: Stacey Onyepunuka, Agua Fria, 56.67; 3,200 meter: Evangeline Dunckley, Saguaro, 11:11.92; 200 meter: Stacey Onyepunuka, Agua Fria, 23.61; 100 meter: Stacey Onyepunuka, Agua Fria, 11.70; 4x100 meter relay: ALA-Gilbert North, 47.89; Discus: Katrina Trahan, Canyon del Oro, 140’ 11.00; High jump: Kyana Williams, ALA, 5’ 6.00’; Triple jump: Sophronia Okpara, Mica Mountain, 37’ 7.50; Pole vault: Ashlyn Powell, ALA-Gilbert North, 11’ 6.00; 4x400 meter relay: Prescott, 4:04.00; 4x200 meter relay: Greenway, 1:57.97; Long jump: Amerah Richardson, Arizona College Prep, 18’ 9.75; 4x800 meter relay: Flagstaff, 10:00.01; Shot put: Brinlee Clouse, ALA, 39’ 6.00; Javelin: Addison Seabaugh, Paradise Honors, 119’ 11.00;

Top D-III Boys Seeds, 200 meter: Konrad Clark, Estrella Foothills, 21.47; 100 meter: Jayden Payne, Canyon del Oro, 10.87; 110 meter hurdles: Cole Hagaman, Coconino, 14.80; 300 meter hurdles: D’Vaughn Hicks, Goldwater, 38.82; 3,200 meter: Bryson Nielsen, Eastmark, 9:03.49; 800 meter: Bryson Nielsen, Eastmark, 1:53.44; 4x400 meter relay: ALA, 42.14; 4x400 meter relay: Goldwater, 3:19.73; 1,600 meter: Bryson Nielsen, Eastmark, 4:14.99; 400 meter: Josiah Anderson, Goldwater, 47.14; 4x800 meter relay: Salpointe Catholic, 8:07.80; 4x200 meter relay: Thunderbird, 1:34.84; Discus: Hadyn Fleming, Salpointe Catholic, 160’ 7.00; Pole vault: Taylor Searle, ALA, 17’ 6.00; Shot put: Hadyn Fleming, Salpointe Catholic, 56’ 4.50; Triple jump: Benicio Ruiz, Flowing Wells, 43’ 10.00; Long jump: Tate Lane, ALA, 21’ 8.00; High jump: Nathaniel Bryant, Mica Mountain, 6’ 4.00; Javelin; Chase Theabold, Combs, 173’ 9.00;

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.