When people think of track and field, they often associate the sport with brutal conditioning. Over the last six years, senior Justin Williams has embraced the unique sport and turned it into a lifestyle. Finishing his final spring track season as captain, Williams’ commitment and work ethic have brought him to counties, where he competed among some of the most talented runners on Long Island. Williams has reached a degree of success that is extremely difficult to accomplish and has certainly left his mark on the future of Lynbrook track.
When Williams started his track journey on the seventh grade cross country team, he was simply looking to stay in shape for other sports. It was not until his sophomore year winter season that he officially joined the track and field team; this is where he began as an alternate for the relay squad.
Williams recalled his junior year winter season as a turning point in his high school career. Although he started the season as an alternate for the relay team, Williams played a key role in winning a division championship for the 4 x 100 meter relay. Williams remembered this moment fondly: “I worked my butt off all season to make the cut for the team, and to see it pay off not only with a spot on the team, but a division championship was extremely fulfilling.”
As a multi-sport athlete, Williams also played on both the JV and varsity baseball teams until he realized his deep passion for sprinting, which is when he made the decision to run spring track. “I love the culture of the sport. Even at the highest levels of competition, there isn’t really any bad blood between opponents at meets; people crack jokes, congratulate you after a race, cheer each other on, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience,” Williams explained when asked what made him choose to fully commit to track and field.
Although track is one of the most individualistic sports, it still requires a strong team bond. Williams described the bond of Lynbrook track as something very special. “Whether I would miss a [personal record], [disqualify] from my event, or just have a bad day, my teammates were always right there beside me to pick me up, and I would do the same for them,” he explained. One teammate in particular that has been by Williams’ side is sophomore Aiden Renois. The bond formed between Williams and Renois has extended beyond the track. “Even though he’s younger than me, he’s an incredible runner, and an even more incredible person,” Williams continued. “[Aiden’s] got a bright future on and off the track,” he added.
Renois expressed a similar sentiment about their friendship and showed tremendous respect for Williams: “Justin is such a fun guy to be around. He’s a leader, and he just allows me to have fun whenever we run.” As this year’s sprint captain, Williams honored Renois’ hard work by passing the role down to him. Through Williams’ mentorship, Renois feels ready to take on the position of sprint captain next year. “I aim to be a better sprint captain than he was out of respect for him and eventually pass down the role of captain to another teammate whom I deem worthy,” Renois explained.
Williams has been inspired by his father’s words of advice, and he hopes that his successors also carry the same sentiment: “My dad always told me that discipline is ‘the ability to do what you have to do before doing what you want to do.’ It’s fun to go to practice and goof around and have fun talking to people at meets, but it’s also fun to go to a meet, dominate, and be bombarded with compliments and accolades. The choice is yours.”
Reflecting on some of his biggest supporters, Williams could not help but admire the dedication of his coaches, Joseph Beyrer and Peter McNally. Williams first met them as a student at North Middle School. “[I feel] extremely lucky to have been able to spend nine seasons running with them,”Williams reflected. “Coach McNally and Coach Beyrer are two of the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” Williams added. This relationship extended outside of track, and the two North teachers have become a prominent source of wisdom and experience for Williams. “Whether it be an issue with my sprinting form, or an issue with a girl, I can go to these two and get some of the best advice possible. I really don’t know what I would do without them,” Williams dished.
Beyrer has been a firsthand witness to Williams’ growth, not only as a sprinter, but also in his character. From teaching Williams as a sixth grader to watching him graduate from sprint captain, Beyrer admired the effort Williams put in to reach his potential. “Justin has always been a leader everywhere he goes, but this year, I saw him take a giant step to being a true leader in the program,” Beyrer explained, adding that part of fulfilling the role of captain requires exceptional humility and empathy. “He is always picking up the young kids and those runners who may have not done their best. He is really the epitome of what a Lynbrook Owl is,” Beyrer reflected. After spending so much time with Williams, Beyrer greatly appreciated the impact that he had on the program and left some words of advice as Williams moves on to bigger and better things: “You will be the best at anything you put your mind to. The world is yours. Keep doing the J-Willy thing, and you will be the best at everything you do.”
This coming fall, Williams will be taking his strong character and leadership skills to St. John’s University in New York. While he will not be sprinting in college, he will be pursuing sports journalism, staying very close to his passion of track and field. Beyrer wished Williams the best in his future endeavors, leaving him with this message: “You will be missed and are really one of those athletes who has left a mark.”
