Bio

From the moment she could walk, Dawn Williams was destined to move at a fast pace. It was evident she had a knack for running when she began her career at the ripe age of 12, as a member of the Dominica National Team. Despite not having much experience, she participated in the 3,000-meter race and let her natural ability take over. To date, she holds Dominica track & field records in the 400 M (53.40), 800 M (1:59.06), 1500 M (4:42.00) and 3,000 M (10:51.83). Williams continued on to earn the bronze medal at the 1986 Carifta games in Guadeloupe at the age of 13. From then on, there was no ceiling for Williams. She was recruited to participate on the Riverside City College track & field team by coach Scott Parks. Parks convinced both Williams’ parents and her to attend the successful community college. She showed up in late March and hit the ground running. Despite the culture shock of competing in the United States, a welcoming atmosphere and a warm team environment made her feel right at home. She became an 800 meter specialist while also competing in the 4 X 400 meter relay and the 3,000 meter. Williams went on to become a two-time state champion in the 800 meter for the women’s track & field team. Her personal best mark of 2:02.47 stands as the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Championship record set in 1993. Her next-best time at 2:06.30 is the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) state meet record. Furthermore, Williams set the OEC record in the 800M in 1993 (2:09.89) and 1994 (2:11.32). She also holds the top-seven slots in the RCC record book along with the 9th, 10th and 13th position on the list. After her strong performance as a Tiger, Williams went on to compete at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Williams continued to dominate in the 400 meter, 800 meter, and 4 X 400 meter relay. She went on to become a two-time All-American and a two-time NCAA Division I Indoor Champion while never finishing below third place in her two-year career at the Division I level. She was recently inducted into the universities’ Hall of Fame. She continued on to achieve her Olympic dream in 1996 recording the fastest semifinal time in the 800 meter at 1:59.06. She is currently serving in active duty in the military as a staff sergeant general holding the role of respiratory therapist. She enjoys time with her mother, Joyce, and her three children, Tevin (17), Nyomi (12) and Kimora (10)