California State University, Dominguez Hills alumna Carmelita Jeter (Class of ’06, B.A. physical education) is on her way to the London 2012 Olympic Games in August after winning the women’s 100 meter race–her specialty–in 10.92, and finishing in 22.11 for second place in the 200 meter finals in June at the U.S. Olympic track and field trails held in Eugene, Ore.
After failing to make the U.S. Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jeter had new resolve going into the 2012 Olympic Trials.
“She felt good. She went there knowing she was on a mission,” said Warren Edmonson, who was Jeter’s coach when she competed at CSU Dominguez Hills. “She’s in top condition and she feels very, very confident. She’s been training for this. She’s ready to go.”
Jeter, 32, is one of CSU Dominguez Hills’s most decorated athlete, having earned six All-America titles during her time at the university and having set a number of campus sprinting records.
Jeter holds the title “fastest women in the world,” after posting a time of 10.64 seconds in the 100m at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix in 2009 (only the late Florence Griffith-Joyner has a better time). She is now a three-time U.S. Champion in the 100m with this recent win, having also won in 2011 and 2009. She is a three-time gold medalist in the World Championships, winning for the 100m in 2011, and the 4x100m in 2011 and 2007. In addition to a silver medal in the 200 meter (2011) and two bronzes in the 100 meter (2009 and 2007) at the World Championships, Jeter has garnered podium finishes in countless other events in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay events. In 2011 U.S.A Track and Field presented Jeter with the 2011 Jesse Owens Athlete of the Year Award.
Jeter will train in Munich, Germany in preparation for her Olympic debut. The London 2012 Olympic Games begin with opening ceremonies on July 27 and conclude with closing ceremonies on Aug. 12.
