Imagine standing on the podium, the national anthem playing, and a gold medal around your neck. For North Carolina A&T alumna Kayla White, this dream became a reality when she helped Team USA secure the world title in the Women’s 4x100m relay! Her incredible journey from college athlete to world champion is truly inspiring.
A Stellar College Career at NC A&T
Before hitting the international stage, Kayla honed her skills at North Carolina A&T. Her time with the @NCATTrackField team was nothing short of spectacular. She competed in over 175 races, racking up an impressive 32 wins and 71 top-5 finishes.
Her dominance earned her 14 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles, three first-team All-American honors, and two second-team All-American nods. Plus, she clinched an indoor NCAA championship and consistently won the 60 meters hurdles at the MEAC indoor championships throughout her college career.
From Dance to Hurdles
Interestingly, Kayla’s path to track wasn’t linear. She trained in ballet, hip-hop, and jazz before discovering her talent for hurdling. “I was blessed and gifted to do (hurdling), but I had a higher quality in sprinting, and I was more talented in that field,” she explained, deciding to lean into her strengths once she got to college.
A key lesson from her coach at A&T, Duane Ross, has stuck with her: “Who do you want to be? Do you want to be with somebody that regrets not doing something, or you want to be somebody that took every single opportunity that was in front of them to be the best person, to be the best athlete that they can be?” This mindset clearly fueled her success.
World Championship Glory
Kayla’s gold medal moment came in Tokyo as the third leg of the women’s 4×100 meter relay. Running alongside Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Twanisha Terry, and anchor Sha’Carri Richardson, they blazed across the finish line in 41.75 seconds, narrowly beating Jamaica by a mere 0.04 seconds. What a finish!
This victory adds to an already impressive career, and Kayla is looking ahead with ambition. She hopes for “more medals, more PRs, and just more healthy seasons.” But no matter what the future holds, her experience at North Carolina A&T remains a cherished part of her story.
“Aggie pride for life, Aggie-born, Aggie-bred, and when I die, I’m gonna be Aggie dead.” — Kayla White
What are your favorite memories of Kayla White’s incredible track and field career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!