Because she was busy watching TV when the phone rang eight years ago, Angela Williams tossed the receiver to her father instead of answering it herself. So when Johnny Williams answered, his surprise at who was on the other line left him stumbling through a short conversation with that person — who happened to be the fastest woman in the world.
Florence Griffith Joyner told Johnny that she would like to meet the then-12-year-old Williams, and that she wanted to give Williams some advice and encouragement. Flo Jo even wanted to make some special outfits for her.
“She said she wanted me to break records when I got older,” Williams said in a 1999 Los Angeles Times article. “I was excited.”
Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Gail Devers also embraced the up-and-coming star.
Angela became the first high school girl to break the 11-second barrier with a wind-aided 10.98. She’s now a 20-year-old sophomore at Southern California, is currently the Pacific-10 Conference’s top 100-meter runner (11.03 seconds) and third-best in the 200 (23.32). She won the 100 at last season’s NCAA Championships. And the 5-foot, 2-inch speedster is hoping to make this summer’s Olympic team. Never intimidated, Angela has adopted a fun-loving approach similar to her mentors:
“As long as I’m on top, I’m proud.”
-M.S.