Evelyn Ashford Biography
Early Life and Household
Evelyn Ashford was born on April 15, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. Maturing in a sports-loving household, her daddy Curtis Ashford played baseball before working as a mechanic, while her mother Earlene Ashford was a physical education teacher who inspired her enthusiasm for sports. Evelyn has 2 brother or sisters, a sibling called Cherryl Ashford and a bro named Curtis Ashford Jr
. At an early age, Evelyn and her household relocated to California, where she attended Roseville High School. It was during her high school years that she started to establish a keen interest in track and field events.
Education
Evelyn Ashford graduated from Roseville High School in 1975 and received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While at UCLA, she mastered both academics and sports and ended up being a noteworthy track and field athlete in the collegiate circuit under the guidance of her coach, Dave Rodda. She made her bachelor's degree in 1979.
Athletic Career
Upon graduating from college, Evelyn decided to pursue an expert profession as an athlete. She took part in numerous national and worldwide events, showcasing her skill as a sprinter. In 1979, she won the 100-meter race at the Pan American Games, setting a brand-new record of 11.04 seconds.
Evelyn Ashford's advancement came in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she won two gold medals-- one in the 100-meter race and the other as part of the United States ladies's 4x100-meter relay team. Ashford became the first American female since 1957 to win a gold medal in the 100-meter race.
Her success continued in the next few years and, in 1988, Evelyn won 2 more gold medals at the Seoul Olympics - one in the 4x100-meter relay and another as an individual in the 100-meter race. In her final participation at the Olympics, the 1992 Barcelona Games, Ashford won a silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay race.
For many years, Evelyn broke many world records and was acknowledged as one of the fastest sprinters in her age. She was ranked number one on the planet in the 100-meter race 7 times throughout her profession and became a member of the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997.
Retirement and Personal Life
After her renowned profession as an athlete, Evelyn Ashford decided to retire from professional sports in 1993. In her personal life, she is wed to Ray Washington, a fellow track and field athlete she satisfied throughout her time at UCLA. The couple has 2 children, a daughter named Raina Ashley Washington and a boy named Rashaan Ray Washington.
Post-retirement, she has actually been involved in training and mentoring young professional athletes, inspiring them with her extraordinary achievements and assisting them to reach their full potential.
Legacy
Evelyn Ashford's legacy as a track and field athlete is indisputable. She has actually been recognized as one of the best sprinters of perpetuity, having achieved remarkable success throughout her profession. With numerous Olympic gold medals and world records under her belt, she broke barriers and led the way for females in sports, particularly for African American ladies sprinters.
As a testament to her unbelievable accomplishments, Evelyn Ashford has actually been inducted into several Halls of Fame, such as the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame, the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Roseville High School Hall of Fame.
Overall, Evelyn Ashford's life as an athlete, role model, and pioneer will forever stay an inspiration to young professional athletes worldwide.
Our collection contains 2 quotes who is written / told by Evelyn.
Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
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