Coach Carr: Briana is a special athlete

Briana Williams stunned the track and field world when she captured the rare sprint double at the World Under-20 Championship in Tampere, Finland last week.

Williams, who was born and raised in the United States, sped to 11.16 and 22.50 seconds in the 100 and 200 metres, respectively.

While her achievement was a surprise to many, Michael Carr, who is in charge of the athlete whenever she is on the island, saw it coming a long time ago.

"I remember giving her some national gear when she was about 13 years old and said that this could be you one day," Carr told STAR Sports yesterday. "The glow on her face then, you could see that she felt a sense of pride wearing the national colours."

That was before Williams made her decision to run for Jamaica and Carr, who is the head coach of the Wolmer's High School for Girls, believes that moment helped to shape her decision to represent Jamaica.

"I think that kind of helped her to make up her mind," Carr said.

BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP

Williams' mother, Sharon Simpson, represented Wolmer's in the early 1990s. And it was because of Simpson's love for her alma mater that resulted in Carr building a relationship with the diminutive Williams.

"I met her at a meet in Florida. Her mom (Simpson) is a Wolmerian and she wanted Briana to represent her school," Carr explained. "We thought that was going to happen but it didn't work out that way. She even represented Wolmer's at a meet overseas."

Ato Boldon is credited with guiding the 16-year-old to the sprint double title, but Carr believes that he played a role in her development as well.

"Whenever she comes to Jamaica, I am responsible for her and I have been doing that from she was 10 years old," Carr said.

"She is a very special athlete and I know she is one who will make Jamaica proud in the future."