Don't look for Sara Williams to be huffing and puffing on the sidelines during any Ohio soccer game this season.
After 90 minutes, the senior co-captain hardly breaks a sweat.
Like most college athletes who are unable to practice with their teams over summer break, Williams took it into her own hands to improve her fitness during the off-season. She decided to take it to the next level, however, by signing up for a one-week camp that promises to challenge the camper mentally
physically and spiritually.
Williams started her summer break by travelling to La Mirada, California for Athletes in Action's one-week Ultimate Training Camp. AIA is an organization that incorporates the Christian faith with athletics. According to the AIA Web site, its mission is to boldly proclaim the love and truth of Jesus Christ to those uniquely impacted by sport worldwide by winning building and sending athletic influencers.
Williams said that her involvement with campus organizations and AIA motivated her to participate in the camp.
I got involved with Campus Crusade and Athletes in Action last year
she said. I saw an advertisement about the Ultimate Training Camp and thought it looked really interesting. I really wanted to do something like that and build my faith up.
National Football League players Dennis Northcutt and Kenyon Coleman, National Basketball Association star Richard Jefferson and olympic gold-medalist swimmer Josh Davis are all former Ultimate Training Camp campers.
The camp goes far beyond cardiovascular training. The first five days of the camp consist of lectures over different biblical principles and how they can be applied on the playing field.
Williams said she felt that this aspect of the camp was the most imperative.
It was more for my mental game and my mental health and I have definitely seen an improvement from that
she said.
The climax of the camp comes when the athletes participate in a grueling, 18-hour marathon of non-stop activities known merely as The Special. The action begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at noon the next day. Activities range from tug-of-war, basketball, prayer and crab soccer. It concludes with a steep, up-hill run carrying a two-by-four.
Williams said The Special was one of the greater challenges she had ever come across.
Coach Stacy Strauss said that she has seen nothing but improvement from the defender.
She is definitely an explosive player
Strauss said. I think this is her best year as far as her physique. She's very trim
long and lean and that allows her to be quicker
stronger and more powerful.
Assistant coach Jim Welch echoed Strauss' praise of the co-captain.
She is one of the more exceptional athletes
he said. She has a great combination of speed and athletic talent which helps her be one of the best players in the league.
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