Friday, 5/9/97 Phenomenon Christa Williams takes talent,
expectations in stride
By Melissa Anderson Daily Bruin Staff While she may not be the
only freshman on campus with an Olympic gold medal, Christa
Williams is unique. Unique because she entered UCLA coming off a
dream-like summer in which she helped the United States win its
first-ever softball gold. Unique because, at 18, she was the
youngest member of the national team surrounded by seasoned
veterans. And unique because, despite all her accomplishments, she
has managed to remain level-headed. "Having her on the Olympic
team, she was a breath of fresh air," Team USA member and UCLA
volunteer assistant coach Lisa Fernandez said. "She is an
up-and-coming athlete and what the future of our sport is all
about." Williams will be the first to tell you how lucky she has
been. Few teenagers get to travel the world, visiting places like
Canada and Australia, all while playing a sport they love. Even
fewer get the chance to represent their country in the largest
organized sporting event in the world – not to mention bringing
home the top prize. "I look back and it’s like a dream. (The
Olympics) is probably the best experience of my entire life,"
Williams said. "To be there with all those people in the opening
ceremonies, and Mohammad Ali – just to be there was such a great
experience." If the Olympics were a dream, Williams’ first few
weeks at UCLA were a wake-up call. As the most highly-touted
recruit in the country, the Houston, Texas native was expected to
come in and shut down opponents immediately. There was pressure put
on her from coaches, teammates and, most of all, herself. "I didn’t
realize how much pressure I felt coming in until I started to
play," Williams said. "As soon as things started to not go very
well, I really felt it. I couldn’t believe how much there was, but
most of it was put on by myself." Williams struggled through the
early part of the season as she tried to adjust to the collegiate
game. While this transition is difficult for all freshmen, it
especially took its toll on a pitcher used to facing batters 41
feet away. In college, the circle is moved back to 43 feet. And
while two feet is just 24 inches to most, to a pitcher it looks
like two miles. Because of the distance change, Williams got off to
a slower-than-expected start. Although she won her first two
decisions, Williams lost three straight after that, including a 4-2
defeat at the hands of now-No. 1 Fresno State. Williams did not see
any action in the Bruins’ next series against Stanford, but when
she came back to the circle against Utah a week later, the freshman
ace showed the Utes what she was made of. A 6-0 victory ignited a
flame under Williams that has yet to flicker. She went on to
compile a 10-game winning streak over the next six weeks, including
a 5-1 win against then-No. 1 Arizona. "Christa has had to grow up a
lot and learn the strategy behind pitching, with the adjustment of
the distance. I think it took its toll early," UCLA head coach Sue
Enquist said. "A lot of players probably would have cracked under
the pressure. She got off to a little bit of a slow start, but I
don’t know too many people that could overcome and start doing the
job like Christa has done." The job she has done has earned her two
Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week awards and ranks her among the leaders
in wins (16), strike outs (141 in 134 innings pitched) and
individual pitching (1.78 ERA). It has also earned her the respect
of her teammates. "I think she is very talented and she works
hard," said senior pitcher B’Ann Burns, who splits time on the
mound with Williams. "I know she feels at times she could have done
better, but that’s just being human. "You’re not going to be
perfect. She expects more out of herself." Such high expectations
and personal pressures have forced Williams to grow up faster than
most college freshmen. While most high school students spent time
bonding with teammates their own age, Williams was playing
alongside people who had graduated from college long before she
even entered ninth grade. But according to junior Kim Wuest, one of
Williams’ closest friends on the Bruin squad, her experience has
only helped her to mature faster. "She is more mature than the
average freshman," said Wuest, who also hung out with older players
her first year on the squad. "A lot of that has to do with playing
with older players (on the Olympic team). For me, it was easy to
accept her." Acceptance has never been a problem for Williams, who
forged lasting friendships with her Olympic teammates as well.
While that is a credit to her maturity, it also reveals her deep
love and dedication to the sport. "Christa wants to do whatever it
takes to win. If you want to put her in right field, left field,
whatever, she’ll do whatever it takes," Enquist said. "She doesn’t
have that pitcher’s ego. Many times pitchers come in and they are
prima donnas. They play only their position, they don’t really know
much about the game offensively or defensively and Christa plays
the whole game." With three more years at UCLA ahead of her,
Williams has already shown the potential to be remembered as one of
the greatest ever to play in Westwood – a distinguished honor
considering the names that have passed through before her. People
like Dot Richardson, Sheila Cornell and Fernandez. People who are
considered the best to ever play the game. People who Williams
called teammates in Atlanta. "I want to try to do the best I can
possibly do and hopefully everything will fall where it may. I
think it will, it’s just going to take time," Williams said. "There
have been so many great people here. Everybody in their right minds
who has been here (to play softball) is a name. Not one single
person has gone unrecognized. You can’t go wrong, you’ve just got
to do your job." CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin On the softball field,
Christa Williams is wise beyond her years. CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin
Freshman ace Christa Williams won a gold in the ’96 Olympics.