Nansemond River High School track standout Xavier Williams was plagued by injury at points during his high school career, but he rose back up to be a key Warrior, and now he will ascend to run at the college level.

Williams committed to the Indiana Institute of Technology during a recent signing ceremony at Nansemond River.

“It felt great because it was a dream of mine, and it’s definitely a step in the direction I want to go because I do want to compete in the Olympics, and I know that I’m on the right track now,” he said.

Williams’ dream of competing at the next level was born in the eighth grade when he was running for Carver Middle School in Chester.

“I’m very proud of him; I’m very excited for him,” said his mother, Shelly Buck, who was present for the signing. “I’m glad to see him be able to accomplish that goal.”

Williams had options during his college selection process. Among them, he had an offer from the University of Rio Grande in Ohio, and he was in discussion with Kentucky State University about a scholarship.

He was considering the University of Kansas, but Indiana Tech emerged as his choice.

“I went and visited Indiana Tech, and I like it, and the scholarship was right, and everything kind of just fell into place, and I made my decision,” he said.

Meeting Indiana Tech Warriors men’s track and field coach Doug Edgar was the key to helping him make his choice.

“When I met the coach at Penn Relays, it was a wrap,” Williams said. “I knew it from there. Once I met him, he reminded me a lot of Justin Byron, my coach. I saw the similarities, the way they coach, I love it, the training regimen, their attitude and the way they handle their athletes, it’s really similar, and I feel like I’m going to be right at home in Indiana.”

Nansemond River coach Justin Byron praised Williams’ school of choice.

“It is definitely one of the top (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) schools for track and field,” he said.

Reflecting on Williams’ strengths, Byron commended him for his range, which has allowed him to contribute to the team in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes, the long jump, triple jump, shot put and discus.

Byron looks for Williams to be one of Indiana Tech’s breakout athletes during his college career.

“Xavier’s one of those special kids that has a knack to learn,” Byron said. “He always wants to learn.”

Williams said the Indiana Tech coaches plan to have him focus on the 400.

His signing includes a partial academic and a partial athletic scholarship.

“I’m looking into majoring in business marketing and management, because my dream is to open a shoe store,” he said.

Considering who it was who helped him reach this present point of accomplishment, Williams said, “Well, of course, God, number one, because without God I don’t believe anything would be possible. Next would be my mom, because she was with me when I got injured 10th grade and 11th grade year, and she was with me when I was healthy in my 12th grade year and got to sign to a college.”

He rolled his ankle as a sophomore and strained his hamstring as a junior, missing time in the outdoor seasons of both years.

Williams also expressed gratitude to Byron, who has supervised Williams’ development throughout high school.

“From encouragement text messages to hard workouts, he was there,” Williams said.