SPORT NEWS WORLDWIDE: February 2019

Monday, February 18, 2019

JaMeesia Ford

JaMeesia Ford (born 26 January 2005) is an American track and field athlete who competes as a sprinter. In 2024, she became the NCAA 200 metres indoor champion and in 2025 NCAA outdoor 200 metres champion. She is also the American national under-20 indoor record holder over 200 metres and is world under-20 record holder over 300 metres.

Early life

Originally from Hampton, Virginia, Ford started running at nine years-old. She is a member of Fayetteville Flyers in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Ford attended Jack Britt High School. She won gold in the 200m and 400m races at the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A Mideast Regional Championships. She also won gold in the 200 metres at the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2019 aged 14 years-old.

Career

Ford was a gold medalist in the mixed 4 × 400 m relay at the 2023 Pan American U20 Athletics Championships in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico in August 2023.

In Indianapolis in December 2023, Ford ran the fastest American indoor 300 metres ever by a U20 woman, running 35.83, eclipsing the 36.12 run by Sydney McLaughlin in 2017. It was the fourth-fastest indoor time ever by an American woman and placed her equal seventh on the women's world all-time indoor performer list.

In February 2024 at the Tiger Paw International in Clemson, South Carolina, Ford ran the second fastest U20 200m indoor race of all time, and fourth fastest all-time collegiate indoor time of 22.36 seconds. It also set the fastest American U20 indoor record, surpassing the 22.40 set by Bianca Knight in 2008. At the same meet, she ran a 51.33 personal best for the 400 metres.

Competing for the University of South Carolina at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, she won the 200 metres final in a time of 22.34 seconds.

She lowered her personal best to 22.11 seconds for the 200 metres at the SEC Outdoor Championships in Gainesville, Florida on 11 May 2024. She ran 22.08 to finish second in the 200m at the 2024 NCAA Championships final in Eugene, Oregon.

Ford swept the sprint races at the 2025 SEC Championships, running 11.055 seconds to beat Tima Godbless by a thousandth of a second in the 100 metres and breaking the championship record in the 200 metres set by McKenzie Long the previous year with 22.01 seconds.

She ran a personal best 10.87 seconds in the semi-finals of the 100 metres at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon in June 2025. On the same day she ran a personal best 21.98 seconds in the 200 metres and also anchored South Carolina's 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams as they qualified for the final of both events.

In the final of the 100 metres she finished as runner-up by three-thousandths of a second, in a time of 11.14 seconds. She won the 200 metres title with a time of 22.21 seconds.

Courtney Okolo

Courtney Okolo (born March 15, 1994) is an American track and field sprinter who usually competes in the 400 metres. She starred at Carrollton (Texas) Newman Smith High School where she won multiple individual state championships.

Career

In college, she ran for the Texas Longhorns. She was fourth in the 400 m at the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championships, and then the following year she completed an individual and relay double at the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She set a collegiate record in the 400 m that year when winning the Big 12 Outdoor Championships in 50.03 seconds.

In April 2016, she broke her own collegiate record, running 49.71 seconds at the LSU Alumni Gold Meet. Okolo won consecutive titles in the women's 400 m and 4 × 400 m relay at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships. In 2016 Okolo won 400 m and 4 × 400 m relay titles in both the Indoor and 2016 NCAA Outdoor Championships. After the season ended, she was awarded the Bowerman Award. She also won the Honda Sports Award as the nation's best female track and field competitor in 2016.

Internationally she won both individual and relay events for the United States at the 2013 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships and the 2015 NACAC Championships in Athletics. More gold came in the 4 × 400 m relay at the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships and 2016 Olympic Games.

Personal life

Okolo is of Nigerian descent through both her parents.

Personal records

200-meter dash – 22.93 (2015)

400-meter dash – 49.71 (2016)

Quanera Hayes

Quanera Hayes is a distinguished American sprinter specializing in the 400 meters, renowned for her remarkable achievements on the track and her inspiring journey as a mother.

Quanera Hayes born March 7, 1992 is an American sprinter specializing in the 400 meters distance. She won the bronze medal at the 2016 World Indoor Championships and is the 2020 US Olympic Trials champion in the women's 400 m. She has earned several gold medals for the United States in the 4 × 400 m relay, including at the World Championships and World Relays in 2017, as well as the World Indoor Championships in 2016, 2018 and 2025. She is a 400 m 2021 Diamond League champion.

Early life

Hayes was born March 7, 1992. She was raised in her hometown of Hope Mills, North Carolina and attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, competing for the NCAA Division II track and field team from 2012 until 2015 when she graduated.

Professional track career

Hayes won the women's 400 m at the United States Olympic Trials on June 20, 2021, qualifying for the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics with a seasonal best time of 49.78 seconds ahead of Allyson Felix.

Athletic Achievements

Olympic Success: Hayes secured a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympics by winning the 400m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2021 with a time of 49.78 seconds.

World Championships: She has earned multiple gold medals in the 4x400m relay at World Championships and World Indoor Championships, contributing significantly to Team USA's success.

Diamond League Champion: In 2021, Hayes clinched the 400m title at the Diamond League Final in Zürich.

Personal Life

Family: Born on March 7, 1992, in Dillon, South Carolina, Hayes was raised in Hope Mills, North Carolina. She attended Livingstone College, where she honed her athletic skills.

Motherhood: Hayes is a proud mother to her son, Demetrius, born in October 2018. She has shared the challenges and joys of balancing motherhood with her athletic career, emphasizing the importance of her son's presence in her life.

Relationship: She is married to Demetrius Hayes Sr., a former professional track and field athlete from the Bahamas.

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As of June 20, 2021, she had a 2-year-old son named Demetrius.

Resilience and Advocacy

Hayes has been open about the challenges she faced returning to elite competition after childbirth, including physical setbacks and emotional hurdles. Her perseverance has made her a role model for athletes balancing family and professional aspirations. She has also been an advocate for better maternity care for female athletes, alongside fellow Olympian Allyson Felix.

Legacy

Quanera Hayes continues to inspire with her dedication to both her sport and her family. Her story reflects the strength and resilience of athletes who navigate the complexities of professional sports and motherhood.

Chandra Cheeseborough

Chandra Danette Cheeseborough (later Shellman, born January 10, 1959) is a retired American sprinter. She won two gold medals and a silver at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Track and field

Cheeseborough broke onto the international track scene at age 16 by winning two gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games, taking the 200 m in an American record time of 22.77 seconds. In 1976, she set the World junior record at 11.13 seconds by placing second at the U.S. Olympic trials, she then placed sixth in that event at the Montreal Olympic Games.

Cheeseborough graduated from Jean Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1977, where she set the still standing NFHS national high school records in both the 100 yard (10.3) and 220 yard (23.3) dashes. The federation converted record-keeping to metric distances shortly afterward.

Next she attended Tennessee State, where she was a member of national championship teams that set world indoor records of 1:08.9 minutes in the 640-yard relay and 1:47.17 in the 800-yard sprint medley relay. She qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but was unable to compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. She did however receive one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes. She won the national indoor 200-yard dash in 1979, 1981, 1982 and 1983.

Cheeseborough's breakthrough year in the 400 m came in 1984, when she set two American records in the event, then placed second in the Los Angeles Olympics in a career best of 49.05. The 49.05 still ranks her as the #10 performer of all time. She made history at the 1984 Games when she became the first woman to win gold medals in both relays, which were held less than an hour apart. Cheeseborough also became only the second athlete, after Paavo Nurmi 60 years earlier, to win two separate Olympic running events in a single day.

Athletic Achievements

Olympic Medals: Cheeseborough-Guice earned two gold medals and one silver at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. She clinched gold in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays and silver in the 400m, with a personal best of 49.05 seconds.

Pan American Games: At the 1975 Pan American Games, she won gold in the 200m and was part of the victorious 4x100m relay team.

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National Records: She set American records in the 200m (22.77 seconds) and 400m (49.05 seconds), with the latter still standing.

Coaching Career

After her competitive career, Cheeseborough-Guice transitioned into coaching. She returned to her alma mater, Tennessee State University (TSU), where she has served as the Director of Track and Field since 2011. Under her leadership, the TSU track and field program has flourished, earning multiple Ohio Valley Conference championships.

Personal Life

Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice is married to Walter Guice, a massage therapist based in Jacksonville, Florida. The couple has two daughters, one of whom, Martinique, has followed in her mother's footsteps in athletics, winning the long jump title for Tennessee State at the 2010 conference meet.

Legacy

Chandra Cheeseborough-Guice's legacy extends beyond her athletic prowess. As a coach, she continues to inspire and develop future generations of athletes. Her dedication to the sport and her family underscores her multifaceted contributions to track and field.

Coach

Cheeseborough later became a coach and returned to Tennessee State. She was named head coach of both men and women in 1999. She also has served as an assistant coach for the U.S. team at the 1999 Junior Pan-Am Championships. In March 2007 it was announced that Cheeseborough would be the assistant coach for the 2008 Olympic team. Cheeseborough coached the sprints and hurdles for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As head women’s track and cross-country coach at Tennessee State, her alma mater, she led the Tigerbelles to six Ohio Valley Conference championships.

Abby Steiner

Abby Kathryn Steiner (born November 24, 1999) is an American track and field sprinter. She is the U.S. indoor record holder in the 200 m and 300 m, and the NCAA record holder in the 200 m. Steiner holds personal bests of 10.90 seconds over 100 m and 21.77 seconds over 200 m.

Early life and development

Steiner grew up in the Columbus suburb of Dublin, Ohio, concentrating mainly on soccer, only starting to run track in the eighth grade. She starred in both sports at Dublin Coffman High School.

Though sidelined for most of a year by a torn ACL, she was an all-state soccer player while setting four state high school records and winning 14 individual and 2 relay state championships in track. Steiner was a dual-sport scholarship athlete at the University of Kentucky (UK), starting her college career in 2018 as both a soccer player and track athlete.

After a freshman soccer season in 2018 in which she started all 19 games for UK, scoring two goals and recording five assists, Steiner left soccer to concentrate on track full-time. In a 2022 interview for the Lexington Herald-Leader, the daily newspaper of UK's home city of Lexington, Steiner cited this decision as a key to her track development:

Before, with soccer, I'd be training soccer in the fall, then I would come to track. I think really allowing myself to dive fully into the process of the periodization of training that we do, so fall training and then going into indoor and outdoor, it's all really important in developing speed and getting to where you want to be.

Athletic Achievements

World Championships Success: Steiner clinched gold medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, showcasing her prowess in team events.

Record-Breaking Performances: She holds the U.S. indoor records for the 200m and 300m, with personal bests of 21.77 seconds in the 200m and 10.90 seconds in the 100m.

Family Background

Parents: Abby is the youngest of three children born to David and Mollie Steiner. Her father, David, is a financial advisor, while her mother, Mollie, is a former teacher. The Steiner family has been a constant source of support throughout Abby's athletic journey.

Personal Life

Abby Steiner maintains a private personal life. As of the latest available information, she is not publicly known to be in a relationship. She has not shared details about her romantic life, preferring to keep such matters out of the public eye.

Legacy and Future

Abby Steiner's dedication to her sport and her family's unwavering support have been pivotal in her rise to prominence. As she continues to excel on the track, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide.

McKenzie Long

McKenzie Long OLY (born July 11, 2000). McKenzie Long is an American sprinter who has made significant strides in the world of track and field. Born on July 11, 2000, in Ironton, Ohio, she has quickly risen to prominence with her impressive performances in the 100m and 200m events.

Early life

She attended Ironton High School in southern Ohio, Pickerington High School Central in Ohio. She became Ohio indoor state champion over 60 metres and committed to North Carolina State University in October 2017. In 2023, Long would transfer to the University of Mississippi.

Career

Long spent four years at the North Carolina State University, where she suffered a severe hip injury which took 12 months to recover from causing her to miss the 2021 outdoor and 2022 indoors seasons. In May 2022, she set a North Carolina State record of 23.00 in the 200 metres. She placed fifth in the 60 meters and second in the 200m in the 2023 SEC indoors championships, and then seventh in the 60m and fourth in the 200m at the 2023 NCAA indoors championships.

Running for the University of Mississippi, Long won the SEC Championship 200 metres in 2023, running 22.39 seconds to beat Jacious Sears, Kaila Jackson and Talitha Diggs. She retained her title in Gainesville, Florida in May 2024 at the 2024 SEC Outdoor Championships. In doing so, she set a world-leading and SEC meet record wind-legal personal best time of 22.03 (+0.6), which placed her fifth in collegiate history and No. 22 all-time in the United States.

At the 2024 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she won the 100m title with a wind-assisted time of 10.82 (+2.2), she then won the 200m title, clocking a time of 21.83, the second fastest time run by a collegiate. She would add a third championship victory when Ole Miss went on to win the 4x100 relay. Long's efforts would help Ole Miss to become just the fourth team in women's NCAA Outdoor history to sweep all three events after Florida State (1984), LSU (1989, 1990, 1996), and Texas (1991, 2023).

Long made her first Olympic team by finishing third in the 200m at the 2024 Olympic Trials with a time of 21.91. She competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris over 200 metres, reaching the final and placing seventh overall.

She placed fourth in the 200 metres at the 2025 Diamond League event at the 2025 Golden Gala in Rome on 6 June 2025.

Professional Milestones

Adidas Sponsorship: Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Trials, Long signed a professional contract with Adidas, marking her transition from collegiate athletics to the professional track and field circuit.

Personal Life and Resilience

Long has completed voluntary work in projects supporting food sustainability and security.

In February 2024, Long faced the sudden loss of her mother, Tara Jones, to a heart attack. Despite the profound grief, she channeled her emotions into her training, dedicating her performances to her mother's memory. This resilience was evident as she achieved remarkable success in the 2024 season.

Legacy and Future

McKenzie Long's journey from a small-town athlete to an Olympic finalist is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. As she continues her professional career, she remains a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.

Valerie Brisco-Hooks

Valerie Brisco-Hooks (born Valerie Ann Brisco; July 6, 1960, in Greenwood, Mississippi) is an Olympian who won three gold medals as an Olympic track and field athlete at the 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles, California, making her the first Olympian to win gold medals in both the 200- and 400-meter races at a single Olympics.

Career

Brisco-Hooks' outstanding high school performance led her to the collegiate level of track and field at California State University, Northridge. She continued to excel, winning the 200-meter title at the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Championships and earning a spot on the U.S. team for the 1979 Pan American Games, where she helped her 4 × 100-meter relay team win the gold medal.

Her 400 metres time of 48.83, set while winning the 1984 Olympics was at the time the Olympic record and still ranks her as the thirteenth fastest woman of all time. She also won a gold medal for the 4 × 400 m.

Brisco competed in the 1988 Olympic Games, which took place in Seoul, South Korea, running on the American 4 × 400 meter-relay team, which finished in second place (but below the older record, also), behind the Soviet team that broke the 4 × 400 meter-relay world record. To this date, the American time possesses the second-fastest 4 × 400 relay of all time, behind only the Soviet winner of that race. She coached with Bob Kersee's group of athletes and at West Los Angeles College.

Achievements

3 × Olympic Games Gold medallist

1 × Olympic Games Silver medallist

1 × World Championships Bronze medallist

5 × Olympic Games finalist

1 × World Championships finalist

1 × Current NACAC Record holder - 4 × 400 m

Personal Bests

Event Result Wind Venue Date

50 m individual 6.24 Rosemont (USA) 16.02.1986
100 m 10.99 +1.3 Westwood (USA) 17.05.1986
200 m 21.81 -0.1 Los Angeles (USA) 09.08.1984
200 m indoor 22.83 New York (USA) 22.02.1985
300 m 35.47 Seoul (KOR) 26.09.1988
400 m 48.83 Los Angeles (USA) 06.08.1984
400 m indoor 52.31 Fairfax (USA) 14.02.1988
4 × 400 m 3:15.51 Seoul (KOR) 01.10.1988

Television guest appearance

Brisco-Hooks guest-starred as herself in "Off to the Races," an episode from the second season of The Cosby Show. She ran against Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby) at the Penn Relays, filling in at the last minute for an injured member of a rival team during a relay race.

Personal life

Brisco-Hooks in 2016

Brisco-Hooks married NFL player Alvin Hooks in 1981. Their son, Alvin Hooks, Jr., was born in 1982.

In 1995, Brisco-Hooks was inducted into the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Gwen Torrence

Gwendolyn Lenna Torrence (born June 12, 1965) is a retired American sprinter and Olympic champion. She was born in Decatur, Georgia. She attended Columbia High School and the University of Georgia. She was offered a scholarship because of her athletic abilities, but she said she wasn't interested because she initially wanted to become a beautician. From the persuasion from her coaches and family, she chose to enroll to the University of Georgia.

In the early 1990s, Gwen Torrence was one of the best sprinters in the world, winning five Olympic medals, and three gold.

Torrence won medals at the Summer Olympics, Outdoor & Indoor World Championships, Pan American Games, Goodwill Games, and World University Games.

In 1988, Torrence achieved a tie with Evelyn Ashford in the 55 m race at the U.S. national indoor championships. She also had many battles both on the track and in the press with Florence Griffith Joyner.

In the 200 m at the 1995 World Championships, she was disqualified for stepping out of her lane after finishing first. This left her idol, Merlene Ottey, to be promoted to first place.

In 2000 she was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Transition to Hairstyling

After retiring from competitive athletics, Torrence fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a hairstylist. In 2010, she opened her own salon, Bangz & Tanglez, in Lithonia, Georgia. While she cherishes her Olympic medals, she prefers to keep them displayed at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, focusing her energy on her salon and family life.

Personal Life

Torrence is married to Manley Waller, a fellow sprinter from the University of Georgia. The couple has a son, Manley Waller III. Despite her public success, Torrence has expressed a desire for privacy, preferring a life away from the limelight.

Legacy

Gwen Torrence's journey from a young girl with dreams of hairstyling to an Olympic champion and successful entrepreneur exemplifies resilience and dedication. Her story continues to inspire individuals balancing personal aspirations with professional achievements.

Inger Miller

Inger Miller (born June 12, 1972) is a retired American track and field sprinter who competed in the 100 metres and 200 m. She is the daughter of Lennox Miller, an Olympic double 100 m medallist from Jamaica. The Miller family was known for their close-knit bond and shared passion for athletics. Inger's father, a dentist by profession, did not push his daughters into track and field but supported their interests. Inger's sister, Heather, pursued a career in medicine and is now a doctor. The family's legacy in sports is notable, with both father and daughter achieving Olympic success.

She attended John Muir High School in Pasadena, California and later the University of Southern California. Miller was a Tournament of Roses Princess in the 1990 court. During her professional career she was a member of HSI.

She originally won the bronze medal in the 60 meters at the 1999 IAAF World Indoor Championships, but she tested positive for excessive caffeine after the race. Her results from the tournament were nullified and she received a public warning.

She was 1999 World 200 m champion; 1999 World Champs 100 m silver medalist; 1996 Olympic 4 × 100 m relay gold medalist; 4 × 100 m relay gold medalist at 1997 World Champs; 2003 World Outdoor 4 × 100 m silver medalist.

Together with Jill Hawkins, Miller started Miller-Hawkins Productions, a full-service event coordinating company. The company currently operates out of offices in Altadena.

🏅 From Olympic Glory to Event Planning

After retiring from professional athletics in 2005, Inger sought new challenges. Drawing inspiration from her college experiences at the University of Southern California, where she balanced a demanding academic schedule with her athletic commitments, she ventured into the event planning industry. USC's emphasis on discipline and confidence played a pivotal role in her entrepreneurial journey.

🎉 The Birth of Miller-Hawkins Productions

In 2005, Inger and Jill Hawkins, a seasoned event planner with over 20 years of experience, established Miller-Hawkins Productions. Their shared vision was to create a full-service event coordinating company that would handle every detail, allowing clients to be guests at their own events. The company's motto, "Don't worry, we will," reflects their commitment to excellence and client satisfaction .

Based in Altadena, California, Miller-Hawkins Productions specializes in corporate, private, and social events. Their portfolio includes a diverse range of occasions, from intimate weddings to large-scale galas. The company has been recognized for its outstanding service, earning accolades such as the 2009 "California Small Business of the Year" award.

💖 Community Engagement and Charitable Endeavors

Beyond their business achievements, Inger and Jill are deeply committed to giving back to their community. Since relocating their business to Altadena in 2006, they have partnered with Five Acres, a child and family services agency, to co-chair their annual fundraising event, "Swingin' on a Star – Up, Up and Away." Through this collaboration, they have raised significant funds to support programs that prevent child abuse and provide safe, loving homes for vulnerable children .

Their dedication to community service is a testament to their belief in the power of giving back and making a positive impact on the lives of others.

🌟 Looking Ahead

As Miller-Hawkins Productions continues to thrive, Inger and Jill remain at the forefront of the event planning industry, blending creativity, professionalism, and a personal touch to every project. Their journey from Olympic tracks to event planning showcases the power of passion, perseverance, and partnership.

As of 2019 Miller was working as a flight attendant. As of the latest available information, there are no public records or reports indicating that Inger Miller is married or has children. She has chosen to keep her personal life out of the spotlight, focusing instead on her professional endeavors and community involvement.

Aleia Hobbs

Aleia Hobbs, the American sprinter renowned for her prowess in the 100 meters and 60 meters, has not only made a name for herself on the track but also embraced the journey of motherhood and personal growth.

Aleia Hobbs OLY (born February 24, 1996) is an American track and field sprinter competing in the 60 meters and 100 meters. Hobbs is the North American record holder for the indoor 60 m with a time of 6.94 seconds, set in February 2023, becoming the second-fastest woman of all time at the event. Hobbs rose to prominence during her collegiate years at Louisiana State University (LSU). She clinched the NCAA title in the 100 meters in 2018 and turned professional later that year, signing with Adidas. Her accolades include a silver medal in the 4x100 meters relay at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a gold medal in the 4x100 meters relay at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.

Hobbs won three global medals as part of national women's 4 × 100 meters relays. She has also won two U.S. national titles and is also a two-time individual NCAA Division I champion.

Biography

Aleia Hobbs committed to the LSU Lady Tigers in 2014 and ran for them until mid 2018, when she turned pro and signed a sponsorship deal with Adidas. During her time at LSU, she also represented the United States at the 2015 Pan American Junior Championships, where she earned a silver medal in the 100 m and a gold medal in the 4 × 100 m relay.

Hobbs represented the United States at the 2019 World Relays, anchoring the United States to gold.

On April 3, 2021, she opened her outdoor season at the Battle on the Bayou in New Orleans, Louisiana with a world-leading time of 10.99 s in the 100 m.

On February 18, 2023, the 26-year-old stormed to second on the world 60 m all-time list with a time of 6.94 seconds, just 0.02 s shy of 30-year-old Irina Privalova's world record, at the U.S. Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She took 0.01 s off the North American indoor record set by Gail Devers also in 1993.

Personal Life

In 2022, Hobbs and her partner embarked on the profound journey of parenthood. They adopted a newborn boy, Amir King Hobbs, who was born prematurely and required care in the NICU before being placed in their care. The couple named him Amir, a decision that deeply resonated with Hobbs, who expressed, "I feel like I birthed him. The love is just so unconditional."

While Hobbs has not publicly disclosed her partner's identity, she has shared insights into their shared responsibilities and the challenges of balancing parenthood with a professional athletic career. She described the adoption process as "stressful," involving classes, home checks, and background checks, but emphasized that it was "worth it" to provide Amir with a loving home.

Motherhood has profoundly impacted Hobbs, reshaping her perspective both on and off the track. She noted that having Amir has taught her patience and generosity, and has given her a new level of respect for her own mother. Hobbs now runs not just for herself but for her son, finding renewed motivation in her athletic pursuits.

Hobbs has maintained a level of privacy regarding her personal relationships. While she has occasionally shared glimpses into her life, such as a TikTok video with her partner in 2020, she has consistently chosen to keep details about her partner out of the public eye. This decision reflects her preference to focus public attention on her athletic achievements and her role as a mother.

Aleia Hobbs' story is one of resilience, dedication, and love. Her journey from a promising collegiate athlete to an Olympic medalist and devoted mother showcases her multifaceted identity and the strength she draws from her family. As she continues to excel on the track, Hobbs remains an inspiring figure, balancing the demands of elite athletics with the joys and challenges of motherhood.

Cambrea Sturgis

Cambrea Sturgis (born March 27, 1999) is an American professional track and field athlete specializing in the sprints. She won two national titles in 2021, winning the 100 m and the 200 m at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships as a sophomore.

Early life

Sturgis grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where her first sport was basketball. She began running track in middle school, following in the footsteps of her father, Darius. Sturgis initially struggled, finishing last in races, but improved after joining an Amateur Athletic Union club called the Salisbury Speedsters.

Sturgis graduated from A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, North Carolina. She was one of the fastest 100 m and 200 m sprinters in the state by her sophomore year, earning MecKa 4A Conference female track athlete of the year accolades. She was the Cabarrus County and 4A West Region champion in both events that year, placing top-three at the 4A state meet with respective times of 11.73 and 24.04 seconds. Sturgis repeated as 4A West Region champion in the 200 m as a junior, but did not compete as a senior.

Sturgis was discovered as a sophomore by North Carolina A&T State University head coach Duane Ross, who said: "Mechanically, she has the tools. She is wired the correct way for a sprinter. I knew she had a future in this sport, and as soon as I could, I started recruiting her." Sturgis also received offers from programs such as LSU, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota and Western Carolina.

College career

Sturgis competed at the NCAA Division I level for the North Carolina A&T Aggies. As a freshman, she broke the 200 m school record with a winning time of 23.43 seconds at the 2019 Hokie Invitational. Sturgis also finished third in the 200 m at the 2019 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships with a personal best time of 22.40 seconds. She was named a first-team All-American by the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Sturgis won her first conference title as a sophomore, taking the 200 m crown at the 2020 MEAC Indoor Championships to contribute to the Aggies' fourth straight indoor team title.[9] She also ran a personal best time of 7.15 seconds in the 60 m to set a meet record at the Jim Green Invitational, earning national female athlete of the week honors by the USTFCCCA. In the spring season, Sturgis won the 100 m, 200 m, and 4 × 100 m events at the 2021 MEAC Outdoor Championships, leading the Aggies to a conference title with 290 points. She was again named national female athlete of the week by the USTFCCCA for her performance.

Sturgis won the sprint double the following month at the 2021 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships, winning the 100 m event in 10.74 seconds before placing first in the 200 m with a personal best time of 22.12 seconds. The former became the fastest wind aided 100 m time in NCAA history while the latter was the fourth-fastest 200 m performance in NCAA history. She also anchored the 4 × 100 m team to a third-place finish with a school-record time of 43.03 seconds. Sturgis competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 m and 200 m events, but was eliminated in the semi-finals in both races. She was named the 2021 Southeast Region Women's Track Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA.

Professional career

On July 4, 2021, Sturgis announced that she would be foregoing her remaining college eligibility and pursuing a professional career with Adidas.

On April 23, 2022, Sturgis ran a world-leading time of 10.87 seconds to win the 100 m event at the Aggie Classic, improving on Elaine Thompson-Herah's mark of 10.89 from the week before.

Personal Life and Privacy

Sturgis maintains a private personal life, with limited public information about her family and relationships. She has not publicly disclosed details about her marital status or romantic relationships, choosing to focus public attention on her athletic career. This approach reflects her preference to keep her personal life separate from her professional endeavors.

Looking Ahead

As of 2025, Sturgis continues to compete at a high level in track and field. Her recent performances, including a 100m time of 11.24 seconds in April 2025, indicate her ongoing commitment to excellence in her sport . Her journey from a promising high school athlete to a professional sprinter serves as an inspiration to many aspiring athletes.

Twanisha Terry

Twanisha "TeeTee" Terry OLY (born January 24, 1999) is an American sprinter specializing in the 100 meters distance. She has earned two World Athletics Championships gold medals as part of U.S. women's 4 × 100 m relays: at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and 2023 World Athletics Championships.

At age 19, in April 2018, Terry ran the 100 m in a time of 10.99 seconds at the Mt. SAC Relays, becoming the joint fourth-fastest under-20 woman in history. The same year, she won the gold medal in the 100 m at the USATF U20 Championships and the silver medal over the distance at the World U20 Championships. She won one individual NCAA Division I title.

Twanisha Terry, affectionately known as “TeeTee,” is not just a name in the world of track and field—she’s a symbol of resilience, community, and inspiration. From her early days in Miami to becoming an Olympic gold medalist, Terry's story is one of dedication, family support, and a passion for uplifting others.

🏅 Athletic Achievements: From Local Tracks to Global Stages

Born on January 24, 1999, in Miami, Florida, Terry's sprinting journey began at the age of 9 when she qualified for the Junior Olympics. Her high school years at Miami Northwestern Senior High School were marked by dominance on the track, securing six individual state titles and four consecutive relay championships.

Her collegiate career at the University of Southern California was equally impressive. Specializing in short sprints, Terry set both freshman and school records in the 100 meters with times of 10.99 and 10.98 seconds, respectively. She also contributed to the USC 4x100 relay team that set a school record in 2019.

Internationally, Terry has made her mark with multiple gold medals in the 4x100 meter relay at the World Athletics Championships in 2022 and 2023. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she clinched her first Olympic gold in the same event.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family: The Pillars of Her Strength

Terry attributes much of her success to the unwavering support of her family, especially her father, Antwan Terry. As the eldest of four siblings, she recalls how her father instilled in her the values of commitment and perseverance. He was a constant presence at her practices and competitions, often offering words of encouragement and guidance.

Her mother also played a crucial role in her journey, providing emotional support and ensuring that Terry had the resources she needed to succeed. This strong family foundation has been instrumental in shaping Terry's character both on and off the track.

💖 Personal Life: A Heart for Community

Beyond her athletic prowess, Terry is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She regularly visits schools in Miami Beach to inspire young students, sharing her journey and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. In recognition of her contributions, the Miami Beach Commission declared November 13, 2024, as "Twanisha 'TeeTee' Terry Day."

Terry's influence extends to social media, where she has cultivated a supportive online community. Her followers, affectionately known as "TeeBabies," "TeeAunties," and "TeeUncles," look up to her not just as an athlete but as a mentor and role model.

💍 Love and Marriage: A Journey Yet to Begin

As of now, Terry is focused on her career and personal growth. There is no public information indicating that she is currently in a relationship or has plans for marriage. Her dedication to her sport and community remains her primary focus.

🌟 Looking Ahead: The Road to Los Angeles 2028

With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles on the horizon, Terry has set her sights on adding to her already impressive medal collection. She continues to train diligently, balancing her athletic commitments with her role as a mentor and community advocate. Her journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, family, and the desire to inspire others.

Twanisha Terry's story is one of speed, strength, and heart. From the tracks of Miami to the global stage, she continues to inspire countless individuals, proving that with dedication and support, dreams can become reality.

English Gardner

English Gardner (born April 22, 1992) is an American track and field sprinter who specializes in the 100-meter dash. She has a personal best of 10.74 seconds, set in 2016.

Career

She was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Voorhees Township, New Jersey, where she graduated from Eastern Regional High School as part of the class of 2010. While running for the University of Oregon, in 2011 she set what should have been the American junior record in the 100 meters at 11.03 (+0.6) set while winning the Pac-10 Championships.

Her mark is superior to the listed record formerly held by Angela Williams from 1999, but that mark had not yet been ratified. The current record of 10.98 (+2.0) is now held by, Candace Hill. She was a five-time NCAA champion with the Oregon Ducks track and field team, winning two 100 m titles, two 4×400 m titles, and an indoor 60 m dash title.

Gardner qualified for the 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow after winning the 100 m at the 2013 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Her time of 10.85 equalled the best time run in 2013 to that date by Barbara Pierre set earlier that same day in a semi-final. In Moscow, Gardner just missed the podium with a fourth-place finish in the 100 meters with a time of 10.97. She was a silver medalist with the United States in the 4 × 100-meter relay.

Gardner qualified for the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing after a runner up 100 m at the 2015 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Gardner won the 100 meters at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials in a time of 10.74 (+1.0). In addition to qualifying her for the 2016 Summer Olympics, the time tied Merlene Ottey as the seventh fastest competitor in history.

Gardner finished 7th in the 100 meters at the 2016 Summer Olympics, running 10.94, and won gold in the 4 × 100 meters relay, running a combined 41.01.

In 2025, Gardner became one of the hosts of The Athlete's Lounge on FloTrack with Matthew Centrowitz and Trey Hardee, providing live commentary for the 2025 Diamond League season.

Coaching in NCAA

Coach Gardner joined the Princeton University men's track & field coaching staff as a volunteer assistant in November 2018.

In February 2019, Princeton men won Ivy League team championship in Boston.

In May 2019, Princeton men won Ivy League team championship in Princeton, New Jersey.

In March 2020, Princeton men won Ivy League team championship in Ithaca, New York.

In October 2021, Princeton men won Ivy League team championship in Princeton, New Jersey.

In February 2022, Princeton men won Ivy League team championship in Fort Washington Avenue Armory in New York City.

In March 2022, Princeton men placed 5th 2022 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham CrossPlex.

In May 2022, Princeton men won Ivy League team championship at Yale University.

In June 2022, Princeton men placed 7th 2022 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

In October 2022, English Gardner shared her story.

Personal records

100-meter dash – 10.74 (2016)

200-meter dash – 22.62 (2013)

400-meter dash – 53.98 (2006)

60-meter dash indoor – 7.12 (2012)

200-meter dash indoor – 23.34 (2012)

National titles

USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

100-meter dash: 2013, 2016

NCAA Women's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships

100-meter dash: 2012, 2013

NCAA Women's Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships

60-meter dash: 2012

Evelyn Ashford

Evelyn Ashford (born April 15, 1957) is an American retired track and field athlete, the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100-meter dash, and the world record-holder in the 60-yard dash. She ran under the 11-second barrier over 30 times and was the first woman to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games. Ashford has the distinction of owning the longest unbroken athletics record (60y dash).

Biography

As a 19-year-old, Ashford finished fifth in the 100 m event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. After beating the world record holders in the 100 m and 200 m in 1979 at the World Cup of Track and Field in Montreal, Ashford was one of the potential medalists for the 1980 Summer Olympics, but these Games were boycotted by the United States. Ashford also tore a quad muscle in 1980 and was out for the rest of the season.

In 1977, she won the first Broderick Award (now the Honda Sports Award) as the nation's best female collegiate track and field athlete.

Ashford was ranked No. 1 in the world by Track & Field News over 100 meters in 1979 and 1981, and over 200 meters in 1981. She also was named Track and Field News "Athlete of the Year" twice, in 1981 and 1984

She again won the sprint double, at the world cup in Rome, in 1981.

On July 3, 1983, she set her first world record for the 100 meters, running 10.79 seconds at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and was one of the favorites to win the 100-meter title at the inaugural World Championships in Helsinki. In the final, however, she pulled a hamstring muscle and fell. The other main favorite, Marlies Göhr of East Germany (who had already beaten Ashford earlier that year), went on to win.

At the 1984 Summer Olympics, Ashford had a chance to win a gold medal. However, she had to withdraw from the 200 m heats with a minor injury. She competed in the 100 m, winning the event in a new Olympic record of 10.97 secs. As the anchor runner for 4 × 100 m relay team, she won a second gold medal. In the absence of World Champions and world record holders East Germany, the US team clocked one of the fastest times in history and won by the biggest margin ever at an Olympics, 1.12 seconds.

Later in the season, she finally defeated her main rival Göhr at the Weltklasse meeting in Zürich, Switzerland. The race saw Ashford make up half a meter or so over Göhr and lower her own world record to 10.76 seconds. That race proved to be Ashford's personal record. It still ranks as the No. 13 individual all-time. Ashford regained her No. 1 Track & Field News ranking.

At the 1988 Summer Olympics, she was the flag bearer for the United States team at the Opening Ceremony. She was beaten in the 100 m by Florence Griffith Joyner, who had broken her world record earlier in the season at the Olympic Trials. In the 4 × 100 m relay she again ran the final leg, winning her third Olympic gold medal despite a less than perfect last exchange between Griffith-Joyner and Ashford that required Ashford to run a sensational final leg to overtake Göhr.

At her last Olympics in Barcelona, Ashford, aged 35, was eliminated in the 100 m semi-finals by 1/100 of a second; she went on to win her third straight Olympic 4 × 100 m relay gold, this time running the first leg. She is one of six women to have won four gold medals in track and field Olympic history.

Ashford came back from season-ending injuries three times, to reach the top of the sport in the following year. In 1980 she injured her quad, and returned in 1981 with the sprint double at the World Cup and the number one world ranking in both sprints. After an injury in 1983, she became double Olympic Champion in 1984. In 1987 a hamstring pull prevented her from competing at the World Championships, then a season later added an Olympic Silver and third Gold medal to her collection.

On May 30, 1985, she gave birth to her daughter Raina Ashley Washington, and again came back for an excellent 1986, losing only once over both the 100 m and 200 m, and winning the 100 meter title at the Goodwill Games; earning another No. 1 ranking by Track & Field News over the shorter distance.

After parting ways with her coach Pat Connolly in 1985, Ashford was largely self-coached.

In 1997, Ashford was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, where she is said to be "one of the greatest track and field runners ever". Ashford went to the University of California, Los Angeles and Roseville High School. She was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

Jacious Sears

Jacious Sears (born 11 August 2001) is an American track and field athlete who competes as a sprinter.

Early life

From Palm Beach Gardens in Florida, she attended Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. She started at the University of Miami in 2020 before later transferring to the University of Tennessee.

Career

2023

In March 2023 Sears, competing for the University of Tennessee, ran 7.04 seconds for the 60 metres at the 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She finished third in the 60m final at the event, along with placing ninth in the 200 metres.

In May 2023, Sears set a new personal best as she won the women's 100 metres title in 10.96 seconds at the Southeastern Conference Championship (SEC) held at LSU's Bernie Moore Track and Field Stadium in Baton Rouge. Sears also finished second in a new personal best in the 200m final, in 22.45 seconds.

Competing at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Athletics Championships in Austin, Texas, in June 2023, she finished third in the 100m and fourth in the 200m. Later that month, she was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South Region Track Athlete of the Year.

Competing at the 2023 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, in Eugene, Oregon, she reached the final of the 100m competition, finishing eighth overall. She also reached the semi-finals stage of the 200m at the same meet.

2024

In February 2024, Sears, now a senior at Tennessee, won the women's 60-meter dash title and took third in the 200-meter final, both in personal-best efforts of 7.11 and 22.96 seconds at the SEC Indoor Championships at Lance Harter Track at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Also that month she ran a new indoors 200 metres personal best time of 22.57 seconds in Albuquerque.

The following month, she ran 7.07 seconds to qualify for the 60m final at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, she finished fourth in the final in a time of 7.13 seconds. On the same day, she reached the final of the 200 metres in a time of 22.70 seconds and finished fifth in the 200 metres in a time of 22.69 seconds.

In April 2024, she ran the second-fastest 100m in NCAA history behind only Sha'Carri Richardson, with a 10.77 seconds run at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida. She suffered an injury running the SEC final in May 2024 which ruled her out of action for the rest of the season.

2025

Returning to racing for the indoor season in 2025, Sears won the 60m at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in a seasons best 7.11 seconds. The following weekend, she ran a new personal best of 7.02 seconds for the 60 metres to win the Millrose Games in New York City, on 8 February 2025. She was second over 60 metres at the 2025 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, finishing just three-thousandths of a second behind winner Celera Barnes.

She finished third behind Melissa Jefferson and Jenna Prandini in the 100 metres of the inaugural Grand Slam Track meeting on 5 April 2025, in Kingston, Jamaica. At the second 2025 Grand Slam Track event in Miami she finished fifth in the 100 metres with a time of 10.98 seconds on 2 May 2025.

She finished third in 11.11 seconds in the 100 metres at the 2025 Meeting International Mohammed VI d'Athlétisme de Rabat, part of the 2025 Diamond League, in May 2025. She ran 11.04 seconds in finishing second on 7 June 2025, at the Racers Grand Prix, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting, in Kingston, Jamaica.