One district gold down for Jven Williams, one more to go

Track & Field coverage presented by ATT Sports, Inc.

By Jason Guarente — MikeDragoSports.com senior correspondent

SHIPPENSBURG — Jven Willliams has eclipsed one of Evan Arnott’s records. The other one is still out there.

Williams reached 187-0 and captured gold in the Class 2A discus at the District 3 Track and Field Championships at Seth Grove Stadium Friday.

Wyomissing’s junior surpassed Arnott’s district mark of 182-4 set nine years ago. The Schuylkill Valley grad’s county record of 195-11 stands. 

Williams may only have one more chance to get there. The Penn State football recruit indicated he’ll likely enroll in college early and forego his senior track season.

That makes this weekend and the PIAA championships next week even more important. They could be Williams’ last chance to collect medals and chase history.

“I just want to achieve every single accomplishment I can,” he said.

Williams was about two feet off his personal best Friday. No one came close to him. Berks Catholic’s Brady Mider finished second at 144-2.

The discus gold was particularly meaningful to Williams. He entered this meet as the No. 1 seed and favorite as a sophomore but fouled all three attempts. 

“It wasn’t a fun time for me,” Williams said. “A lot of regrets. I think it helped lead to my success this year.”

Williams regrouped and won District 3 gold and PIAA bronze in the shot put last May. Coming up short in the discus left an empty feeling. Older brother Rushard won state gold instead.

“It was heartbreaking,” Jven said. “I knew where I was at and what I could do. I didn’t want anyone else to be a state champion besides my brother. I’m happy that he did it. Now I’m following in his footsteps.”

Williams thought track and field was his athletic future this time last year. A dominant football season in which Wyomissing reached the PIAA Class 3A final changed Williams’ trajectory. The lineman became a Power Five recruit.

There are still track goals in Williams’ sights. He hopes to reach 200 feet in the discus, and surpass Arnott again, next week. He has a chance for district and PIAA gold in the shot put.

Williams lost his freshman season to COVID and didn’t qualify last season, which makes next week his first chance to compete at states in the discus. He’ll be the frontrunner.

“This was going to be my college dream,” Williams said. “That adds a little more emotional touch to it.”

Other notable Berks boys results from Day 1:

• Reading High’s Justin Walker finished second in the Class 3A triple jump. The senior’s distance of 45-8 places him in the top 10 in the state. He set his personal best by 14 inches.
• Wyomissing’s Isaac Focht set a PR at 147-8 and placed third in the Class 2A javelin. Teammates Drew Forrey and Collin Niedrowski also medaled.