Denise Reid, Gleaner Writer

Shericka Williams' father, Errol Williams (right), and grandmother Kathleen Clarke (with raised arms) were joined by jubilant family and community members in White Hall, St Elizabeth, where they gathered after Shericka gained a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics. - photo by Ketima Walker

WESTERN BUREAU:

The small district of Whitehall, St Elizabeth, was yesterday enveloped in excitement as Shericka Williams, a daughter of the parish, ran to win a silver medal in a race where the odds seemed stacked against her.

Shericka's grandmother, Kathleen Clarke, who reared the child from age four, had no electricity and had to tune in to a battery-operated radio to listen to the race.

Just down the road, Shericka's older brother, Santana Williams, and other family members gathered in front of the television set to watch her run.

"A pure pot head me a lick, pure noise, pure excitement," said Santana, as he described the moment he realised his sister had earned a silver medal.

One big family

Describing the community as one big family, he said the local Justice of the Peace Elton Colley ran over to their house to congratulate them shortly after she crossed the line in second place.

"Me heart full of love fi her. Me tell everybody say second because me know say it hard fi beat that girl (Sanya Richards) from the United States."

Shericka's father, Errol, told The Gleaner they believed that Richards, who went into the race with the fastest time, would have been very difficult to beat.

Her cousin, Marsha Lee Foster, who spent time with Williams and her older sister Sharifa in Golding Circle, Mona in St Andrew recently, came to St Elizabeth for the holidays.

"First, when she ran the curve, I saw everybody cover her and I said, 'Oh, my God.' Then, when I saw her on the backstretch in third position, I said, 'Run, 'Wiya', run.' I went up to the TV and I said, 'Run.' Then I saw her pass the US girl and I say, 'Yes, she come second!'" recalled Marsha Lee.

Promising athlete

Shericka's family agrees that she had been a promising athlete since her days at Giddy Hall All-Age and later at St Elizabeth Technical High School where she was given the nickname 'Wiya'.

Grandmother Kathleen was elated at the outcome, and said she had prayed dutifully for not just Shericka, but all the Jamaican athletes in Beijing.

Sharifa, who is also an athlete and with whom she lives, said she spoke to her on several occasions before the big race.

"I spoke to her the night before she ran and I told her we need a medal from her, and she said yes, she's going to give us a medal."