On Friday, thirty-three University of Georgia student-athletes received their undergraduate or graduate degrees at the annual fall commencement exercises. Counted among them was UGA women’s track and field star Kendell Williams.

 

UGAAA Staff Writer John Frierson says of Williams: “One of the greatest Georgia Bulldogs ever, the track and field superstar’s time in Athens.”

 

And that is not an understatement. Just take a look at her accolades.

 

2016 Olympian

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 NCAA Indoor Champion (Pentathlon)

Three-Time Collegiate Record Holder (Pentathlon)

2014, 2016 NCAA Outdoor Champion (Heptathlon)

2014 NCAA Indoor & Outdoor First Team All-American (Multi-Events)

2016, 2017 NCAA Indoor First Team All-American (Long Jump)

2014 SEC Outdoor Champion (Heptathlon)

2014 USATF Junior Champion (100m Hurdles)

2014 IAAF World Junior Champion (100m hurdles)

2015, 2016, 2017 SEC Indoor Champion (Pentathlon)

2015, 2016 NCAA Indoor & Outdoor First Team All-American (Multi-Events)

 

She is the first track and field athlete to ever win four straight NCAA titles in an event and did so in the Pentathlon, setting record after record on her way to those titles. And this Lady Bulldog from Kell High School in Marietta, GA not only excelled on the track and field but also in the classroom and community.

 

During her time at Georgia, Williams served as a student-athlete representative on the UGA Athletic Board and participated in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.) and Student-Athlete Leadership Academy (L.E.A.D.).

 

When the UGAAA was choosing speakers for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Indoor Athletic Facility back in February 2016, it was a “no-brainer” that Kendell Williams would be one as she represents what it is to truly be a student-athlete. And she has been able to do so alongside her brother, Devon Williams, who himself is an adept student-athlete.

 

 

Kendell Williams told John Frierson that one of her most special memories at UGA will be the two of them sweeping the 2017 NCAA Indoor Heptathlon titles, the first brother and sister duo to ever sweep multi-event titles at an NCAA meet which has become known as the “Sibling Sweep.”

 

” ‘Just the fact that my brother and I both won and our parents were there sitting in the stands, that was awesome,’ she said, smiling at the memory.”

 

So what is next for Kendell Williams, UGA graduate?

 

She told Frierson, ” ‘I’m excited for the next phase, but I’m also terrified because I’m comfortable here and I like the people and the community,’…’Now I’m kind of ready for adventure and if there’s ever a time to do it, this year is it.’ ”

 

I encourage you to read UGAAA Staff Writer John Frierson’s article on Kendell Williams and get to know a living Bulldog track and field legend.