Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaliyah Williams
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Since the age of 3, I have always been involved in extracurricular activities. This included gymnastics, competitive and school cheer, dance, USATF and school track, AAU and school volleyball. However, my true passion has become track and volleyball.
Volleyball: I began mini-club in the Fall of 2022 at 10 years old in which I played up with 12 year olds. I played 6 seasons (Fall, Winter, and Spring), until beginning my journey into club volleyball, after being recruited during the middle of my mini-club season in Spring 2024. I played various positions such as setter and libero. As soon as I was eligible to play in junior high, I played and was designated as captain of the A team.
Track: I began competitive track in the spring of 2022 at the age of 9 years old where I competed in the 9/10 years old age division. Throughout this time, I have acquired multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals throughout the Greater Houston District and Regional meets in various events such as 100m, 200m, 400m, 60m hurdles, 80m hurdles, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, and 4x400m relay. Currently, I am a 3x All American in the USATF National Junior Olympics where my team and I won 6th place in the 2022 4x100m relay, 4th place in the 2023 4x400m relay, and I won 1st place in the 2024 80m hurdles.
With support and guidance of my parents, grandparents, and coaches, along with blessings and favor from God I have been able to achieve so much this early in my athletic career. My aspirations are to continue to compete and medal in the top 10% in the Nation in track, get recruited by a D1 university with a full athletic and academic scholarship in both volleyball and track, and become a World Champion, and Olympian. As far as intended major, I am still undecided.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There were two challenging aspects throughout my journey that I had to endure. The first challenge consists of having to balance a 7 day per week active schedule of training and competing, in addition to staying on top of school work with an all advanced curriculum. This allows for minimal time to spend with friends. The second challenge consists of dealing with injuries which lead to me underperforming or not performing at all. Although, I have faced these challenges, I was able to overcome them and become resilient. I figured out a way to prevent the occurrence and learned how to balance them where it doesn’t become much of an interference.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Being a top athlete comes with natural skills and abilities. However, it also comes with self motivation, dedication, determination, and sacrifices. I am proud of everything that I have accomplished, thus far as a youth athlete. What sets me apart from others I believe is my humility, my sportsmanship character, and my playful personality. I don’t take anything too seriously because I still want to enjoy activities that I love and not feel too pressured. Volleyball is a team sport. Track has a team component in relays, however, it’s mainly an individual sport. I love being a part of a team. Therefore, I enjoy relays more than individual open events in track. I love when I can win with my teammates.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Depending on the risk, sometimes it can be a good thing. Don’t be afraid to take risks, you may never discover your full potential. I consider myself taking a risk when I made the decision to run hurdles for the first time. I became a natural and I won 1st place at the National Junior Olympics in my 2nd year of running. Don’t be afraid to take risks, you may surprise yourself!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @aaliyah_marie_williams
