Williams: Finally Found a Home
January 16, 2004 01:56 PM | General
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Issue 3
Kari Williams remembers the following about her childhood: being born in Texas, moving first to Louisiana when her father, Artis, was transferred, next to Florida when he got a promotion and finally to Delaware where her family still resides.
Three years into her life as a collegiate gymnast, Williams knows this about her college years: at WVU she has found a home.
"I love it here," says the junior business marketing major. "I love WVU. I love the mountains and the people I've met since I've been here. It's truly been a growing experience for me."
Not the most outspoken or outgoing girl in Morgantown, Williams is often perceived as being shy and quiet. While the vault specialist will admit to being quiet, she does assert that she would no longer classify herself as shy. Williams may have been slightly more reserved than the average girl when she arrived in Morgantown three years ago, but she has since grown more comfortable with herself and her teammates. In fact, she is a captain on this year's team and often finds herself at the helm of motivating her teammates.
"Mostly I try to lead by example," she says. "But there are definitely times when I have to be the voice and rally the troops when they need it."
Does speaking up contradict the inner workings of her personality? Not according to Williams.
"I'm really comfortable with the team and my role on it," explains Williams. "I guess it's easier for me to speak up around them."
It was easy as well for Williams to decide on WVU.
"I really wanted to do gymnastics; that was my first priority when I started school searching," the co-captain says. "I was looking at Pitt and Rutgers too, but West Virginia had everything I wanted: great coaches, a great gym and great academics."
A decision that wasn't as easy to make came when Williams was 10 years old. Up until that point the 2001 WVU rookie of the year was active in gymnastics and soccer. Both sports she liked. Both she excelled in. But, smart as mothers are smart, Williams' mother, Tulah, knew that if her daughter was to become highly successful in either, she would most likely have to devote all of her attention to one, forgoing the other. Williams chose gymnastics, but to this day often wonders what would have happened if she chose soccer or didn' t have to choose at all.
"Choosing gymnastics over soccer was definitely one of the most important events of my life," Williams says. "I definitely had a passion for soccer and I wonder what would have happened if I didn't have to choose between the two when I was so young."
That is not to say, of course, that Williams is unhappy with the decision she made in her youth. Being a gymnast is important to her, and in addition to providing her with an opportunity for a great college education it has also helped build her a place in the long legacy of WVU gymnasts.
A great gymnast in general, Williams is an exceptional vaulter. Last season, seven of her 11 vaults were scored at a 9.8 or better, proving that not only is she talented, but also consistent, a key aspect in a gymnast.
"Kari has become one of the best vaulters at WVU," comments longtime WVU head coach Linda Burdette. "She's one of the best we have ever had. I'd put her up there with Rex (TeShawne Jackson, a four-time all-EAGL vault performer) and Nikki West (a three-time first team all-EAGL vaulter at WVU)."
About to begin her third season with the Mountaineers, Williams is looking forward to the two seasons she has left competing for West Virginia, mostly because she realizes the specialness of the opportunity she has been given.
"There's a lot of things about being a Mountaineer that make it special," she explains. "But, the one thing that stands out the most is how much Mountaineer fans love their athletic teams. I don't think I've ever seen so many people as passionate about athletics."
Although two complete seasons away from graduating, Williams, a strong student, often thinks about her future post-WVU, post-gymnastics. She says she might like to open her own business, and play up to her stubborn side by becoming her own boss. But, that business won't be a gym.
"Gymnastics is such an important part of my life right now," says Williams. "But, I think when I'm done, I'll be done. I think I'll be ready to start another chapter in my life."
For now, the talented performer will settle for upping her vault career-best from a solid 9.925 to a perfect 10.0, a feat that will truly mark her as one of WVU's elite.
Having moved five times in barely two decades, given her success in the gym and the classroom as well as her dominance on the vault, it is safe to say that Kari Williams is truly at home in Morgantown.
Lainie Guiddy is a graduate assistant in the West Virginia University sports communications office.
