Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Jamaica's 100m hurdles silver medallist Shermaine Williams. - PHOTO BY Anthony Foster

Jamaica's World Youth silver medallist, Shermaine Williams, will depart the island this week to take up a scholarship at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU), a Division Two school in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Williams, who was second in the 100m hurdles at last July's World Youth Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, is set to join her coach, Lennox Graham, and quarter-miler Leford Green, in the Golden Bulls Track and Field programme.

"I feel very happy about the opportunity to continue my education, to represent the JCSU Golden Bulls and to reunite with my coach," said Williams, who previously attended Convent of Mercy (Alpha).

In Ostrava, Williams clocked 13.47 seconds on the way to winning the silver medal, but had earlier recorded a personal best of 13.37 seconds over the low hurdles in the preliminary round. She is also the Carifta Games Under-20 champion, winning in a Championships Record and personal best 13.51, this over the higher hurdles.

Williams has been undefeated at the high school championships for three consecutive years, winning in Class Three once and two years in Class Two. She would have moved onto Class One this season.

Under coach Graham's guidance, Williams, who plans to major in biology, has also won medals at the junior Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships. She also said she is looking forward to the opportunities and experiences at Johnson C. Smith.