Former Dexter neighbors, teammates to compete at NCAA Track and Field finals

“It’s really cool,” said Jackson, a junior at Notre Dame. “It’s especially neat because not only were we high school teammates, but old neighbors.”

Williams, a red-shirt senior at Michigan who recently graduated, and Jackson both qualified for the NCAA finals out of the East Region in Greensboro, North Carolina two weeks ago. Jackson got the best of Williams, finishing in twenty nine minutes, 54.24 seconds, three seconds ahead of his old teammate.

Williams and Jackson are among 22 other national qualifiers. The top eight garner All-America status.

“Sammy Chelanga, he’s the record holder, and he’s about a minute faster than everyone,” said Williams, of the Kenyan-born junior from Liberty University. “As far as everyone else. It’s going to be real competitive.”

As for facing off against each other, Williams and Jackson both appreciate the uniqueness of their situation.

“We used to golf together in the summer,” Williams said. “It’s pretty cool to think, with someone I’ve run with for so long, to both make it to this level, that’s pretty cool.”

“I mean what are the odds? Two people from the same neighborhood in the same event at the national championships. It’s pretty special,” Jackson said.

OTHER QUALIFIERS

Carl Buchanon competed in the first preliminary round of the 400-meter hurdles for the Wolverines Wednesday night, while sisters Emily and Erin Pendleton competed in the discus throw on the women's side for the Wolverines. Results were not available at time of posting.

Frank Shotwell will compete in the decathlon Thursday and Friday for Michigan.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by e-mail at petercunningham@annarbor.com, or by phone at 734-623-2565. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.