Monarchs’ Williams capable of ending region discus drought

If you know of Darryl Baugh, you’ve either hit middle age or you’re a certified track and field historian.

Baugh, a former George Wythe athlete who went on to play football at Pittsburgh, was the Central Region’s last state Group AAA discus winner—in 1977.

Today in Newport News, Meadowbrook High senior Michael Williams will try to become the area’s first state champion since Jimmy Carter roamed the White House.

“If Michael does what he’s capable of, he could pop a 175,“ Monarchs throwing coach Dewey Wyndham said.

Williams won last week’s region title at Sports Backers Stadium with a 165-6—15 feet farther than runner-up Austin Hersh of James River.

Almost: Still, Williams was left with a “what if?“

“I knew the record, and I was going for it,“ said Williams of the 172-9 standard set by Armstrong-Kennedy’s Otis Smith in 1981.

“I think I might have had it—I was way past 170—but my toe slid and I scratched.“

His personal record, and school-best 170-11 came in victory at the Southern Track Classic.

Williams is a back-to-back region titlist, joining an elite fraternity of Douglas Freeman’s Barty Smith (1969-70), Manchester’s Hugh Self (‘71-‘72), Baugh (‘77-‘78), Highland Spring’s Gary Venable (‘79-‘80), O. Smith (‘81-‘82), Petersburg’s Paul Kotula (‘83-‘84) and Thomas Dale’s William Henderson (‘89-‘90).

It helps that Williams doesn’t train alone. Senior Bryant Frazier (headed to Florida A&M on a football scholarship) was fifth in the region and will accompany Williams to Todd Stadium.

Family tradition: Williams is a second-generation strongman. His dad, Ben Williams, was a standout shot put/discus thrower at Prince George in the late’70s.

“I’ve had a lot of people help me, but my dad has always been my coach,“ Williams said.

Ben, a regular at his son’s meets, played football at Virginia State.

Michael, a 6-2 220-pounder, is headed to Youngstown State on a track/football grant.

All-around athlete: Williams drew raves as a defensive end/tight end on Meadowbrook’s region finalist football squad. He caught the winning TD in the Monarchs’ region upset of L.C. Bird.

Though he’s focuses on slinging the discus in the spring, Williams also has run the 100-meter, 200, 400 relay and the long and high jumps.

“Michael’s an ath-e-lete,“ Wyndham said, enunciating for effect.

The competition: Williams’ chief adversary today figures to be Frank Afriye of T.C. Williams, the Northern Region champ with a best of 169-0.

Williams is an even bet to end a three-decade state discus famine. If nothing else, he’ll dust off memories of Darryl Baugh.

Contact Fred Jeter at (804) 739-2219 or .

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