Williams

Samuel Williams, junior business management major and member of the ESU track team, was found dead late yesterday afternoon. Williams was thought to be missing and was last seen at 11 a.m. on Sunday at his residence.

Authorities reported in a release that Williams lost control of his motorcycle north of Emporia on K-99 and Lyon County Road 150.  His body was located one tenth of a mile off the roadway.

Williams was an international student from the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and was 24 years old.

Don Weast, assistant director of media relations, said Williams was an All-American on the Emporia State track team, running the 60-meter, 200-meter and the 4-by-100 meter relay.

“We’re dealing with this individually and as a team,” said David Harris, head track and field coach. “That’s all that I want to say right now. We will be ready to talk in the morning but we need to deal with this as a team right now.”

His teammates had only good things to say about him.

“He was just a great guy,” said Kenton Lonberger, junior communication major and member of the track team. “He was really loyal and had great values. He stood up for what he believed in and that reflected in every aspect of his life. He was always there as a friend and he was a great guy to be around.”

Williams held several records for ESU including a 4-by-100 meter relay record acquired in May at the NCAA Championships. Lonberger is on the record holding team.

“On the wall downstairs, he has a record in the 60; he has a record in 4 by 1,” Lonberger said. “He was one of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever been around and been a teammate with. The guy had more talent than most people dream about.”

Although he had no family who lived in the U.S., Lonberger said that Williams’ teammates more than made up for that.

“It’s like losing a brother,” he said. “We were so close, all of us. It’s really like losing a family member. We’re struggling now but we’re going to overcome this. He was from France so he didn’t have family here. He had family, but not blood.”

A candlelight vigil for Williams will be held at 8 p.m. tonight in Welch Stadium.

———UPDATE———

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Members of the ESU track team attend the candlelight vigil held in memory of Samuel Williams, an All-American athlete who died in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. Williams was an international student from the Ivory Coast. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

Members of the ESU track team attend the candlelight vigil held in memory of Samuel Williams, an All-American athlete who died in a motorcycle accident earlier this week. Williams was an international student from the Ivory Coast. Jennifer Baldwin/The Bulletin.

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