When Tacoma Baptist’s Walker Williams is done pumping iron at Competitive Edge Performance Training in Puyallup, he moves on to getting in a quick-step cardiovascular workout.
While lifting buddy Joshua Garnett, of Puyallup High, sticks to running, Williams makes a move toward the dance floor – in search of Latin-music beats.
Yes, the 6-foot-7, 320-pound offensive tackle bound for the University of Wisconsin is into Zumba.
“Zumba is a great cardio tool,” Williams said. “The only rest you get is between the songs and that’s only for four or five seconds.”
Williams was first exposed to the workout craze when a Tacoma Baptist assistant coach’s fiancee led a session for the team when Williams was a sophomore.
A self-described “dancing fool,” Williams soon began including Zumba as part of his regular routine.
“It looked fun. I went in and did it,” he said. “I don’t really care what other people think about my dancing.”
Williams said he’s usually the only male in classes of more than 20 women. When he showed up for his first class, some women applauded that a man had the nerve to try Zumba.
Then the music flowed.
“When they saw me dancing, (and) that I could move pretty well and move my hips, just as well as all the girls,” he said, “they were impressed that a guy had the confidence to do it.”
And the dancing might be improving his footwork.
“Walker is transforming,” said Garnett, a highly-rated offensive lineman who will choose from offers by Michigan, Notre Dame and Stanford. “He’s going to be really good when he gets to Wisconsin. He’s got quick feet.”
Williams choreographed Tacoma Baptist’s senior guys’ cheer this year and at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl he earned a few nicknames, such as “Jabba-Walker,” “Swag,” “Dancin’ Man,” and “Dougie.”
“Whenever you see me, I’m usually dancing,” he said. “It’s all fun for me.”
WHERE BIG MEN ROAM
One Pacific-12 Conference recruiter can’t recall a year such as this when offensive line recruits dominated the region.
Garnett and Lakes High’s Zach Banner are in a class of their own – with Corvallis High’s Isaac Seumalo and Williams close behind, the coach said.
“Nathan Dean (of Juanita High) is a guy who two years down the road could be a great offensive tackle. He has the athleticism,” the recruiter said. “Sam Flor, from O’Dea, will be a good player because he is smart and tough.”
Nine of the 24 first-team and honorable mention “Northwest Nuggets” for 2012 are offensive linemen.
JUST FOLLOWING SUIT
Being selected to the nationally televised Elite 11 quarterback camp is a big honor – one that Eagle High’s Tanner Mangum held high since his early teenage years in Idaho.
His inspiration? Bishop Kelly High standout Cody Hawkins, who became the first Idaho prep quarterback ever invited back in 2005.
“Cody … inspired me to be the second Idaho guy,” Mangum said.
Last summer, Mangum left as the most talked-about quarterback at the camp after he nabbed co-MVP honors, which thrust him onto the national radar.
“It wasn’t just for myself,” said Mangum, who is committed to Brigham Young, “but also for the state of Idaho.”
FOLLOWING A LEGEND
Mercer Island High’s Jeff Lindquist chose UW for his own reasons, but nobody needs to tell him the last big-time in-state QB to commit to the Huskies.
It was Jake Locker, who left Ferndale High in 2006.
“I suppose there is some pressure that comes with it, but there is pressure for every quarterback on the (UW) team. It is more important how I perform,” said Lindquist, who has met Locker at a couple of quarterback camps.
“Still, I will try my best … not to screw up (the in-state legacy).”
EXTRA POINTS
Newport High (Ore.) senior Oshay Dunmore is listed as an athlete because he was a standout at both quarterback and in the defensive backfield, but will likely play safety at Oregon. He also is one of the best decathletes in the country – his 6,634 points last season ranked him No. 2 in the country at the high school level. … Connell High’s Matt Hadley set the all-time career scoring marks in Washington as a running back in touchdowns (124) and points scored (746). He also projects as a safety at BYU.
Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271 doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com
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