Demetria Washington (Terry Sanford)

 

North Carolina had never seen a world-class long sprinter until Demetria Washington came along.  She ran 52.74 at a time when the previous all-time North Carolina best had been 54.32, a difference of 2.9%.  Washington went on to a strong career at the University of South Carolina and also ran numerous races in a USA Track & Field jersey on the highest levels of the professional track circuit.  Her record still stands 17 years after she set it, and in fact no other North Carolina 400 runner has even threatened the 53-second mark since Demetria.