Frater makes half-lap plans to strengthen Williams’ 100m

Days after fast-rising sprint star Lavanya Williams produced a new career-best 10.90 seconds in the 100m, her coach, Michael Frater, has indicated that she possesses the qualities to also excel in the 200 metres.

Williams’ time moved her to number 15 on the all-time list of Jamaican female sprinters.

Speaking on Fame 95 FM’s Sport Grill on Monday, Frater, the 2005 World Championships 100m silver medallist and founder of Dynamic Speed Track Club, indicated that Williams’ range extends beyond the shortest sprint event.

“She prefers the 100m, and I think she is going a bit better in the 100m, but in order to make the 100m better, we know that she has to do some 200m as well,” Frater said.

“She has improved a lot there as well, moving from 23.9 to 22.4 in the 200m,” added the former sprinter, who ran the second leg on Jamaica’s 4x100m world record (36.84) team at the London 2012 Olympics.

According to Frater, Williams’ dedication to her craft has been the catalyst for her early success.

“Lavanya is probably the most disciplined athlete I have coached,” he reasoned.

“Whatever you ask of her, she delivers, never late for training, never late for gym, and does everything that is required of her,” he added.

“So I think the key to her success this season is discipline,” Frater said.

Last month, Williams ran wind-aided times of 10.91 and 22.63 to win gold and silver in the 100m and 200m, respectively, at the NACAC Under-23 Championships in Mexico.

She then placed fifth in the 200m before helping Jamaica win gold in the sprint relays at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Williams had already broken the 11-second barrier legally twice this year, clocking 10.96 in April and 10.95 on May 31, before lowering her personal best again at the weekend.