Senior, Grayson Williams returns to Old Settler’s Park this weekend to compete in the State 3A Cross Country meet. Williams, who claimed the District Championship at the beginning of October and the Region 3-3A title in Houston just last week, is gearing up for his final cross country race—where everything is on the line.

Williams is no stranger to the state course, having competed there previously with his team the last two years. He reflected on his past experiences and shared, “In years past, I’ve had my struggles at state. Most years, I’ve run slower than my personal bests, but going into it this year, I’ve learned where those struggles are and am going in with more confidence than I ever have. So, I am certainly going to put up a competition.”

“Grayson has unreal dedication to the running lifestyle,” said Troy High School Head Cross Country Coach Shayla Rawls. “He’s knowledgeable in training, weight lifting, nutrition, and physical therapy. He understands exactly what it takes to win and executes his running strategy flawlessly. He’s the ultimate competitor and doesn’t let the actions of his competition alter his strategy to win.”

To prepare Williams for his final high school cross country race, Coach Rawls and Grayson have made critical adjustments to his training. “We’re tapering his mileage down from 70-80 miles per week to around 30,” explained Coach Rawls. “This drastic change will give his legs that extra boost to have the race of his life on November 2nd. We’re also incorporating race-specific speed work to give him the tools he needs to compete at the highest level.” Grayson has also focused on building resilience against fatigue, knowing it will be a defining factor in his race. “Whether you’re an elite-level athlete or just an entry-level runner, you’re going to be tired in a race,” he shared. “But falling apart when you get tired is a big separator. This year, I’ve finally found that limit, so when I get there, I now know how to deal with it.”

Reflecting on Williams’s season, Coach Rawls shared that Williams has earned the nickname “The Machine” for his consistency and smooth running style. “We’re hoping for another smooth and consistent run this Saturday and are ready to bring home some hardware to Troy High School.”Heading into his final state meet, Grayson’s mindset is clear and focused. “I’ve got so much to prove, and I’ve got so many people relying on me, which puts this kind of pressure on me that allows me to perform so much better,” he said confidently. “I’ve always done well under pressure, and this time is no different.The single achievement which has me extra motivated going into this race was my regional performance which shows I have so much more in the tank.”

Grayson extended a heartfelt thank you, adding, “A special thanks to Coach Rawls for helping me get here this season, and huge thanks to my parents and teammates for being my biggest supporters and motivators in the tough times.”

Catch all the action this Saturday at Old Settler’s Park in Round Rock, Texas, where Grayson will run his final race as a Trojan at 10 AM.

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