In March, USA Track & Field (USATF) announced that CSUDH alumna and Olympic gold medalist Carmelita Jeter has been named head coach for the upcoming World Under-20 (U20) Championships.
“Being named Head Coach for is an honor,” says Jeter. “Knowing that Team USA believes in my leadership and coaching style gives me the confidence to lead this charge!”
The CSUDH alumna is currently the track and field/cross-country head coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). This will be the second time she’s taken on the added role of USATF U20 head coach. She previously headed the coaching staff at the 2023 U20 Pan Am Games.
Once called “the fastest woman alive,” Jeter won three Olympic medals and seven World Championship medals during her racing career. She turned to coaching after retiring from competition, first at the high school level, then moving up to the collegiate ranks with stints at CSUDH, Missouri State University, University of Alabama, and USC, before landing her current job at UNLV.
“I plan to lead with passion, knowledge and care,” says Jeter. “This age group is extremely important for the future of track and field, so experience working with collegiate athletes is vital when it comes to communicating with them. The experience they have with me can help shape their minds and spirits as they head into their next journey, either as high school seniors or first-year college athletes.”
Jeter is excited to start working with the young athletes on the under-20 team. “U20 coaching should be fun and energetic,” she says. “It reminds me of who I used to be and why I coach.”
The World U20 Championships will take place in Eugene, Oregon, on August 5-9, 2026.
