Williams signs with MSU

Kayla Williams at James Clemens High School signed a scholarship with Mississippi State University. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – James Clemens High School senior Kayla Williams lent a big hand to a busy week for the Jets track and cross-country programs.

Williams signed a scholarship with Mississippi State, following the news that classmate Elise Sheldrick earned All-American honors by placing seventh in the 17- and 18-year old division at the AAU Cross-Country National Championships.

Sheldrick is expected to sign a scholarship in the spring.

Williams backed her signing with a strong performance at the Magic City Invitational in Birmingham as the Jets placed second among the Class 7A field behind Hoover last weekend.

James Clemens coach Drew Bell said he saw enough to judge the Jets as state championship contenders with Williams leading the way.

“These girls are confident,” Bell said, “and we feel we can score in every event. And Kayla is going to be Kayla.”

Williams placed second in the 60-meter dash, third in the long jump and was a member of the 4X200 relay team that set a school record of 1:47.42 along with Uriah James, Zada Campbell and Vada Samuels.

According to Bell, who grew up in the city of Starkville that houses Mississippi State, the Bulldogs and their program that mirrors James Clemens’ are a perfect fit for Williams.

“She really helped us establish our program and I’m really glad to see her go to Mississippi State,” Bell said. “She really fell in love with the place and felt like that’s where she belonged.”