Sharrieffa Barksdale

Soon after the 400 metre hurdles became an international event for women, Sharrieffa Barksdale became the first US woman known for her talents in the event. She ran for the University of Tennessee and the Reebok Racing Club. Barksdale won one US title, the TAC Championship in 1983. She also won a silver medal in the 400 hurdles at the 1983 Pan American Games.

Barksdale later worked at USA Track & Field as a senior alumni manager. She also started coaching at her own academy, One on One Training Academy in Indianapolis (originally in Lexington, Kentucky) and with fellow Olympians Justin Gatlin runs the nonprofit Born 2 Be Elite in South Africa.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.67 (1981); 200 – 24.05 (1986); 400 – 52.86 (1986); 400H – 54.90 (1986); LJ – 20-5¼ [6.23] (1983).