Jillian Camarena-Williams
Jillian Camarena-Williams is a champion shot-putter, having been named U.S. champion in both indoor and outdoor shot putting in 2010. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is also the assistant shot-put coach at Brigham Young University.
Jillian was born in Woodland, California. Her brother was a high school record-holder in shot put and convinced her to try it. She began to compete in seventh grade. Jillian graduated from Stanford University in 2004, and since then has made a career of the sport.
She suffered a herniated disc just before the try-outs for the Beijing Olympics, but after praying for help with the decision, chose to have back surgery before the trials. Nevertheless, she made the Olympic team. Her husband, Dustin Williams, is her trainer, and he cites the strength of her faith and the way she makes her religion central in her life. Jillian cites the advantage of having her husband for a trainer. He not only cares deeply about it, but with her knee and back problems, he is not only able to treat her with physical therapy, but is also able to give her a priesthood blessing for healing and comfort.
Camarena-Williams is working toward participating in the London Olympics in 2012.
