Sophomores Marissa Hammond and Nicole Williams have enjoyed a very successful 2009 as members of both Nevada’s basketball and track and field teams.
The Pack basketball team made the programs first-ever appearance in the WAC Tournament Championship Game while also recording the program first-ever win over a nationally-ranked opponent, beating #7/8 Louisville.
Hammond, a 6-3 forward, played in all 32 games this year making three starts, including her first career start versus Hampton in December. Williams, a 5-9 guard, played in 30 games and scored at least five points in three games including a career-high eight in a win at Idaho.
Once basketball season was complete, both turned their attention to the track and field team where they both found immediate success. Both Hammond and Williams won their events at their first meet of the year, the javelin and high jump respectively, at the Woody Wilson Invite in April. In addition, they both set personal bests in their events and recorded regional qualifying marks.
“The support I’ve gotten from both track and basketball has helped me on both teams,” Hammond said. “The basketball team is very supportive of track and the same is true the other way around with track coming to basketball games. The support has helped make me better.”
Hammond scored in double figures four times during the basketball season including a season-high 11 points two times against St. Mary’s and at Santa Clara. Hammond posted a PR and regional qualifying mark of 47.29m (155-01) in the javelin despite not competing in the event since the 2007 WAC Outdoor Championships. Hammond posted her second win of the year, taking first in the javelin at the Payton Jordan Invite at Stanford on Saturday. Hammond’s PR mark in the javelin places her fifth on Nevada’s all-time javelin list.
Hammond participated in both basketball and track and field at Pendleton High School in Pendleton, Ore. She started track her sophomore year and competed in the javelin, shot put and discus. However, she focused on the javelin because it was the one she could be competitive in.
“The best part of participating in two sports is getting to meet so many people and becoming friends with people from all parts of the country and walks of life,” Hammond said. “Knowing we all come from different areas but come together for something we love is great. It unites us.”
Head track and field coach Shantel Twiggs was quick to praise both Hammond and Williams for their athletic ability and what they bring to each team.
“Marissa and Nicole are two very exceptional athletes and we can not take all of the credit. They came to Nevada as two of the top prep javelin throwers and high jumpers in the country,” Twiggs said. “In addition, we work with some amazing coaches who allow the athletes with many talents to continue developing the skills they need to be elite level athletes and in the process they get to help our program in our quest for conference, national and international success.”
Head women’s basketball coach Jane Albright echoed Twiggs’ praise of Hammond.
“Marissa is a true competitor and a very hard worker,” Albright said. “Physically she is extremely strong and I am excited that the opportunity to compete at such a high level with the javelin throw is hers to embrace.”
Williams won the high jump at the Woody Wilson Invite in April. Williams’ jump of 1.76m (5-09.25) was also a regional qualifying mark and the second-best mark in program history. Williams’ trails only Alissa Anderson’s mark of 5’10.5”. During the basketball season, Williams set a career high with eight points in Nevada’s win at Idaho.
Williams was recruited by Arizona, Idaho and Duke to participate in track in college but choose basketball because she had been doing it longer. Williams also participated in the 400m and 100m in high school at Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, Calif., but chose to focus on the high jump because she liked it the best.
“The success we’ve had this year feels good,” Williams said. “It’s like we are getting somewhere. We’ve always had the potential to get better but this success boosts our confidence.”
Albright said she is excited with Williams’ success in both basketball and track.
“Nicole is a very gifted athlete,” Albright said. “She is able to use that athleticism on the basketball court for us, but we are all excited that she has the opportunity to be so successful with the high jump. We are all very proud of them.”
Hammond, who is majoring in animal science and Williams who is majoring in human development and family studies, both have high expectations for their remaining two years with Nevada.
“In the high jump I want to jump another PR and continue to make it to regionals. I hope to be first all-time in program history in the high jump. I think I can do that in the next two years,” Williams said. “In basketball I want to win a WAC Championship and make it to the NCAA Tournament.”
“Basketball-wise I would like to make it to the NCAA Tournament and continue to develop my game and be a part of a team that goes to the NCAAs,” Hammond said. “In track I want to continue to throw farther and farther, keep making regionals and eventually make nationals and to be one of the best throwers in the country.”
