The demonstrations may seem rather cocky or unsportsmanlike to some, but what Williams is really doing is creating a certain vibe in the atmosphere, one that he thrives in.
Nebraska track and field fans routinely respond to William's actions with synchronized claps of their own that increase in speed as he closes in on his jump. It's not just for show, though. Williams feeds off the rhythm.
In fact, he needs it.
"Once you get the crowd on your side," Williams said, "it's like a drum in your head. Almost as if the drum squad came in here and had their huge drums going 'Doof, doof, doof.' It's like a heartbeat. Once you get that in your head, it's like you automatically go faster. You just zone out and focus.
"And once you hit that jump off - it's just crazy. You just feel so exuberated, you don't even know what to do."
Williams and his teammates will need the crowd to get them hyped this weekend. Ten top-25 teams (six on the women's side) will be in town to face the Huskers, including the No. 8 ranked men's and women's teams in Baylor and Minnesota, respectively.
The Nebraska men's team jumped to sixth in the national polls on Wednesday, but Williams said he has something new up his sleeve that may just give his team an extra adrenaline shot this weekend, even though it may be the favorite.
"I'm going to have a little special clap going on this weekend," Williams said, "so you'll see how big the home track advantage is here."
The only clues Williams would reveal about the "special clap" is that it will be similar to the chants during football kickoffs, and it was something Husker fans saw last year.
On top of whatever extra boost William's new clap will bring Nebraska, the squad plans on enjoying the big stage it will compete on this weekend at the Husker Invitational.
"I feel like I do well when the pressure is on me," Williams said. "I like it because it's like now the spotlights are on you. Can you do it? Can you step up to the plate?"
There are also many experienced athletes on Nebraska's roster, like Williams, who are no strangers to high-pressure situations. And that's not limited to just upperclassmen.
"I like to run when the stadium is full," said NU freshman Arna Erega, who has competed internationally with Croatia. "When you see that many people it just makes you run faster because you don't want to be embarrassed. It's something that pushes you to give 115 percent."
With such stiff competition visiting Lincoln on Friday and Saturday, such an effort might be needed if Nebraska expects to win many events.
"That's how hyped the competition is going to be this weekend," Williams said. "It's just going to be crazy. There will probably be previews of the NCAA (championship) finals going on this weekend."
krisknowlton@dailynebraskan.com
