“I’m not just performing for myself — I’m doing it for the crowd.” That declaration from Georgia freshman gymnast CaMarah Williams has quickly become reality inside Stegeman Coliseum, where the Kansas City native is pairing elite skill with unmistakable star power in her first collegiate season.
Last Sunday night, Williams commanded the arena during her floor routine, feeding off the energy of a packed house and returning it tenfold.
Dancing between tumbling passes, smiling through landings and locking in on the judges, the freshman delivered a performance that earned one judge’s perfect 10.0 and another’s 9.95, averaging 9.975 — the highest score of the meet and the best of her young career — as No. 6 Georgia defeated No. 12 Auburn 197.550–196.050.
“When I’m performing, I’m not even thinking about my gymnastics,” Williams said. “I know I’ve practiced that every day. I try to engage with the crowd, engage with the judges, and really just have fun.”
That approach has made Williams one of the most electric newcomers in the Southeastern Conference. Against Auburn, she tied or set season highs across all three of her events, showcasing the blend of confidence and consistency that has defined her rapid rise with the GymDogs.
From Early Arrival to Immediate Impact
Williams’ path to Athens accelerated quickly. After joking with Georgia co-head coach Cécile Canqueteau-Landi about enrolling early, the opportunity became real when a scholarship opened up.
Williams, homeschooled during her final two years of high school due to the demands of elite gymnastics, fast-tracked her remaining coursework, signed with Georgia on Nov. 12, graduated soon after, and arrived on campus by Dec. 11.
Just two days later, she competed in all four events at the team’s GymDog Debut.
“It felt like I was supposed to be here,” Williams said. “Everything was rushed, but I trusted myself. I knew I was ready.”
She was.
Williams debuted officially on Jan. 10 at Ohio State with a 9.90 on floor, then followed with standout performances against LSU and top-ranked Oklahoma, where she claimed her first share of a collegiate event title on floor.
In a quad meet against Central Michigan, Temple and Fisk, she captured the vault title and placed in the top three on beam and floor. She then swept vault, beam and floor against Auburn.
A Comeback Fueled by Purpose
The freshman’s early dominance makes her success even more striking given where she was just a few years ago. During the pandemic, Williams briefly stepped away from gymnastics altogether, questioning whether to continue.
After a short break and encouragement from her mother, clarity followed.
“If I wasn’t here, what would I be doing? Absolutely nothing,” Williams said. “Nothing was going to replace the love that I have for gymnastics.”
Now, that love is translating into results. Heading into Georgia’s meet at No. 10 Arkansas, Williams holds the highest freshman averages in the SEC, including 9.862 on vault, 9.925 on beam, and 9.940 on floor. Her season-high vault score of 9.950 leads the team.
A Freshman Built for the Moment
Beyond the numbers, Williams has emerged as a performer who understands the collegiate stage — where connection matters as much as execution.
“In college, the crowd is so much bigger,” she said. “You have to reach them and let them know you’re here to perform for them.”
Georgia is reaping the benefits of that mindset, and Williams is embracing the moment she once wasn’t sure would come.
“To be performing this well at the beginning of my career means everything,” she said. “I never even thought I’d be here. This is a blessing.”
For the GymDogs, and for SEC gymnastics, CaMarah Williams is no longer just a promising freshman — she’s already a showstopper.
