Former Kell, Georgia star Williams ninth through four legs of heptathlon
Aug. 4—Competing in the Olympics for the second time, former Kell High School and Georgia star Kendell Williams was ninth through the first four legs of the heptathlon Wednesday in Tokyo.
The 26-year-old Williams, who 17th at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, had 3,776 points following the first day of competition.
The Netherlands' Anouk Vetter led with 3,968 points, followed by Belgian teammates Noor Vidts (3,941) and Nafissatou Thiam (3,921). Williams' American teammates, Annie Kunz (3,870) and Erica Bougard (3,837) were fourth and sixth, respectively.
Williams got off to a strong start, winning the 100-meter hurdles in 12.97 seconds, but she was unable to keep up with the lead pack in the high jump.
Williams made it as high as 1.80 meters, but she failed to clear the bar in three attempts at 1.83. Meanwhile, seven other athletes were able to clear 1.83 or higher.
Williams' struggles in the field events showed in the next event showed as she finished 22nd of 23 athletes in the shot put with a distance of 12.41 meters (40 feet, 9 inches), about 3 meters off the top mark.
That dropped Williams from fifth to 12th overall, but she was able to regain ground on the track as she finished fifth in the final event of the day, the 200-meter run. Williams crossed the line in 24.0 seconds.
The heptathlon will conclude Thursday with the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run.
