Barbara Ferrell

Event: 100m

Inducted to Hall of Fame: 1988

Barbara was one of the top sprinters in the U.S. in the late '60s and early '70s. In 1967, she announced her arrival on the sprint scene by winning the 100 title at Mt. SAC (10.5y), the Pan-Am Games (11.59) and U.S. Nationals (11.1). Her winning time at Nationals equalled the hand-timed world record for 100m.

In 1968, Barbara won her second Relays' title. At the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Barbara broke the U.S. auto-timed 100m record held by teammate Wyomia Tyus by running 11.12 in her quarterfinal race. However, in the final, Tyus reclaimed her record, winning in the world record time of 11.08. Barbara took the silver medal with a time of 11.15.

In the Olympic 200m, Barbara broke the U.S. record in her quarterfinal (22.94) and semifinal (22.87) races. However, in the final she fell just .05 seconds short of winning her second individual medal, finishing 4th in 22.93. Barbara did claim a second gold medal as a member of the U.S.'s world-record (42.88) setting 4x100m relay team.

Although Barbara qualified for the 1972 Olympic team in the 100m and 200m, she was not able to perform at the highest level due to an injury, and could manage only a 7th place finish in the 100m final.

Born: 1947

College: CSU-Long Beach/USC

• 1967: 1st, 10.5y
• 1968: 1st, 11.3
• 1969: 1st, 10.7y

• PRs:
  • 100m: 11.12A
  • 200m: 22.87A
• Tied World Record
  • 1967: 100m, 11.1
• Broke American Record 3 times:
  • 1968: 100m, 11.12A
  • 1968: 200m, 22.94A
  • 1968: 200m, 22.87A
• Olympic Gold Medal, 1968
  • 4x100m Relay, 42.88A (World Record)
• Olympic Silver Medal, 1968
  • 100m: 11.15A
• Olympic 4th place finish, 1968
  • 200m: 22.93A
• Olympic 7th place finish, 1972
  • 100m: 11.45
• Pan-Am Champion, 1967
  • 100m: 11.59
• U.S. National Champion:
  • 1967: 100m, 11.1
  • 1969: 100y, 10.7
  • 1969: 220y, 23.8