Illinois Wesleyan senior Rachael Williams (Minooka, Ill., Minooka HS) finished first in the 2012 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin conference meet and was selected as "Athlete of the Meet". She became the second IWU female to win the CCIW individual championship (the other was Kerry Devitt in 2009) and also earned all-Midwest Region honors with 11th place finish at NCAA Division III Midwest Regional meet.
She was the 2011 team's "Most Valuable Performer" and the 2010 team's "Best Newcomer" after transfering from the University of San Diego.
She is also the school record-holder and a Division III All-American in the 10,000 meter run for outdoor track.
A business administration major at Illinois Wesleyan, she is the daughter of Pete and Debbie Williams.
Why you chose Illinois Wesleyan: Coach Huff, Coach Shoe, and the academics
IWU class you’re most qualified to teach: International Business
The hardest challenge about being a Division III student-athlete is: Finding a time when the ice bath isn’t crowded
Worst grade in a class you ever got – what and when? The worst grade I ever received was in logic. It was the first semester of my freshman year of college. The class didn’t seem too logical to me.
I’m deathly afraid of: The dark: I still have to sleep with some sort of light.
Worst habit: I always forget to turn off the lights. Maybe it’s because I am afraid of the dark . . .
Most expensive traffic ticket: $50 to the City of Chicago
Language I’d like to learn: Portuguese, so I’d have an excuse to live in Brazil
The longest I could survive without my cell phone: Two days, tops
One word your mother or father would use to describe you: Energetic
Favorite sports figures: Kara Goucher
My greatest moment in sports was: My greatest moment was finishing in sixth place in the 10K at track nationals. That finish earned me All-American status.
The best player I ever faced was: I ran against Jordan Hasay, University of Oregon runner, when I ran for University of San Diego. That girl is insanely fast.
Worst dresser on my team: My ability to judge appropriate dress was ruined the day I began to surround myself with male runners in short shorts.
Thing that’s been in my fridge the longest: Weird answer, but refried black beans
Person I’m dying to have dinner with: Danny DeVito
Favorite food: Tough call between dark chocolate and salmon
Vegetable I won’t eat: Celery, well unless it has peanut butter on it
Pepsi or Coke?: Neither, I’ve never liked pop.
Favorite TV shows: "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Homeland", or "The League"
Favorite musical group: Dispatch
Favorite movie: "Our Idiot Brother", "Pirate Radio", or "Anchorman"
If a movie were made of my life, I would like the following person to play me: Kristin Wiig because she’d make me seem hilarious
If my life were on TV as a reality show, I’d call it: "This Is Going to Be Awkward"
The person in history I would most like to meet is: John Denver
My dream job would be: Owning my own business or something involving travel
Place I’d most like to live: Breckenridge, Colorado
Two things that are tops on my “bucket list”: 1) Run a marathon in another country 2) Go on a safari
My possession that would fetch the most on eBay: My jean collection: I am a sucker for expensive pants.
Who is the luckiest person in the world? Whoever is currently dating Adam Levine
What I miss most about being in the third grade: Recess and holiday parties
