This week on RealTalk, I had the pleasure of meeting with NCAA Champion Melissa Jefferson. Born and raised in South Carolina, Melissa has always been an “underdog” growing up in a small community, attending a small high school and a mid-Major university. Jefferson is the first ever individual National Champion in Coastal Carolina history, with a time of 7.09 which is the sixth-fastest time ever ran in the NCAA women’s indoor track and field championships for the 60m dash. An 8-time Sun Belt Conference Champion, this past weekend Melissa blazed a 10.88 at 100m and 22.46 at 200m which currently ranks her Top 10 in the NCAA (both events).
Off the track Melissa spends her time singing, hanging out with her friends, and also reading. On the track, her first ever 60m race was presented with a bet: if she runs a decent time she doesn’t have to run the 400m dash. Well Melissa sat in the blocks because she didn’t hear the gun go off, and lost her end of the bet. She hopes there are no more open 400m in her future.
In this episode, Melissa takes us through her entire journey from the start. Born and raised in Georgetown, South Carolina she shares her experiences growing up in a small country town. Attending Coastal Carolina wasn’t her first choice, “That’s how God works,” she stated. Jefferson gives us a moment she will cherish for the rest of her life, being her fathers donor. Winning her first National title came with expectations, and mixed feelings, listening to her about the aftermath and what plans she has for her future.
Episode 14| NCAA Champion | 10.88 100m| Rising Star Sprinter Melissa Jefferson – RealTalk Track & Field
I asked Melissa was she able to live in her NCAA Championship win, and this was part of her response.
