Williams to try new event for Hanover Panthers

Elijah Williams (front, center) signs his national letter of intent to compete in track and field for Hanover College, flanked by his mother (Stacy) and father (Gary). Witnessing the signing were (back, from left) GHS track coach Craig Jordan, GHS football coach Mike Meyer, GHS assistant track coach Lonnie Lawhorn, sister Alexis Williams and GHS athletic director Greg Hill.

Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

The next time Elijah Williams picks up a hammer for track and field competition, it will be the first time he ever does.

Unfamiliarity with the event not offered as a high school option did not deter Hanover College from signing the Greencastle senior shot put specialist to compete for its program starting next winter.

Williams has shown his excellence throwing the 12-pound high school shot put, winning the conference title this year, placing fourth in the sectional and ninth in the regional.

Elijah Williams of Greencastle watches the shot put fly after his release in the sectional.

Banner Graphic/JOEY BENNETT

The hammer, though, is a different animal altogether.

The event is believed to originate from 16th century Scotland, when King Henry VIII was drawn throwing a blacksmith’s sledgehammer in a competition. The hammer is a 16-pound steel ball attached by a steel wire to a grip.

“I have never thrown the hammer before, but I’m really excited to head down to Hanover,” Williams said. “I think the hard part of learning how to do it is going to be the technique. It’s completely different than anything you do in high school.”

Williams said that college track coaches are used to having to find people to throw the hammer who had never done it before, and they like certain things about his mechanics in throwing the shot put.

“They looked at my physical build and that I’m a pretty athletic guy,” he said, “and that I would be able to get around the ring pretty well with my footwork.”

Williams noted that Hanover has a strong track and field program, which was one thing which attracted him to the school in southeastern Indiana.

“Their women’s team is very good, and the men’s team was sixth in the conference this year,” he said. “Both programs are really coming up.

When interviewed in early May, Williams was happy with how his season had gone.

“Coach [Lonnie] Lawhorn has been a good addition to the team and he has really helped me a lot,” Williams said. “He has helped both our girls’ and boys’ teams.”

Williams was a lineman and key leader for the Tiger Cubs’ football team last fall which finished with a 9-2 record.

He plans to study kiniesology and integrated physics, hopefully leading to physical therapy school.

GHS track and field coach Craig Jordan foresees success for Williams at the next level.

“Elijah Williams is the very definition of a team player,” Jordan said. “He leads by example, sets the tone in practice, supports his teammates, avoids the drama and is dedicated to getting better in every practice and workout. There is zero doubt that he will be a strong contributor for Hanover College, both on the field and on the campus.”