Road to Minneapolis: Born in Florida. Death of his mother, Traci Williams, led to him moving to Minnesota before freshman year at Minneapolis Washburn.

On the track: Two-time all-state sprinter. Reached the finals as a freshman and sophomore. Led Millers to the Minneapolis City Conference meet championship last week by winning the 100- and 200-meter dash events and running a leg of the winning 4x100 relay.

Football credentials: Three-year starter for the Millers football team. Recorded 10 sacks as a senior playing defensive end/outside linebacker. Plans to play football next year at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif.

Family file: Maternal grandmother, Catherine Williams, was the first black probation officer in Hennepin County.

David La Vaque