Wildcat Derrick Williams won the state Class A cross-country title last week in what coach Richard Menicke called "a perfect race." Williams' assessment of the Oct. 15 race was a little more blunt.

"It hurt a lot more than I expected," he said.

The victory didn't come easily for the Columbia Falls senior. He was pushed by Corvallis' Chase Stoker, who took off as the course climbed a hill.

"I knew I had to stick with him," Williams said.

Coming down the same hill, Williams took over the lead from Stoker and held him off down the stretch, never losing the lead for a nine-second victory, clocking 15:30.76.

"While he was the big favorite, it says a lot (about Derrick) to execute it," Menicke said. "He ran a perfect race."

Williams said the race was worth the pain.

"I wish everyone could have an experience like that," he said. "It feels great. I love Columbia Falls. Everyone is so supportive."

He said plenty of Columbia Falls fans came down to cheer him on.

Up next for Williams will be a visit to Colorado State University. He says he'd like to study medicine. Other colleges have also shown an interest in his running ability, including Carroll College in Helena.

Williams said he prefers to run track, but most colleges have runners compete in cross country in the fall and track in the spring. The difference is the distance. Cross-country races in college are 8K and 10K runs.

It will take some adjustment. Williams recalled early in his high school career when he was asked to run 800 meters. He thought two laps at the time would kill him. Now he runs them at a championship pace.