Cato-Meridian High School senior Elaina Williams has officially committed to D’Youville University, where she will compete on the school’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field teams. The talented runner, known for her determination and love for the sport, sees this next chapter as a perfect balance of academics, athletics, and personal growth.

Williams’ journey as a runner began when she was just a child, inspired by her parents. “I probably started running when I was six or seven. My mom runs, so I would run 5K’s with her. And I’d race my dad to the car in the parking lots—it was always fun,” Williams recalled with a smile.

Now, after years of dedication to the sport, Williams is taking her talents to the collegiate level. “I can run Division 2, I’m admitted into their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, and hopefully won’t be in a lot of debt,” she said. “It’s not as much pressure as Division 1, and it’s a higher level than Division 3.”

Williams’ favorite event is the steeplechase, a challenging race that combines distance running with hurdling and water jumps. “Coach Ellis put me in it two years ago. I had done 400m hurdles, so I knew how to hurdle. He pulled a barrier out, said ‘go over it,’ and I did a few times. Next thing I knew, I was on the starting line for a race.”

“It’s always good when you set the school record in an event,” Ellis added with a laugh.

Williams’ high school experience has been nothing short of packed. 

“I get up at 6 a.m., go to school all day, take some tests, then after school I’m either in a club, staying after with a teacher, or heading straight to track practice. From freshman to junior year, I had drama practice and swim practice in the winter, too. Then I’d go home to do homework.”

Despite the grind, Williams thrives on the camaraderie and memories made with her teammates. She highlighted Maggie Brown, her longtime running buddy, as a major influence. 

“Maggie’s always been right there, and I’ve always been trying to stay right next to her,” Williams said. “She’s been a big part of my running journey.”

At D’Youville, Williams is excited to continue doing what she loves most: running. “I’m probably most looking forward to the running at D’Youville,” she said. With over 1,000 miles logged in 2024 (350 miles on each pair of sneakers she’s gone through), she’s prepared for the challenge ahead.

Beyond athletics, Williams has big aspirations for her future. 

“In seven to eight years, I hope to be in a clinic somewhere, working in pediatrics,” she said. “I love working with kids. When I was injured and had to go to physical therapy myself, I got to see what it’s like in a pediatric clinic, and I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”

As Williams takes this next step, she carries with her the lessons, memories, and relationships she’s built at Cato-Meridian. From snowball fights during winter runs to pushing through long-distance workouts in the summer heat, her love for the sport and commitment to her dreams are clear.