Cheers! catches up with
Dawn Ellerbe, ’96

During her Carolina years in the mid 1990s, track and field star Dawn Ellerbe won four NCAA titles, and she held the NCAA record for the hammer throw until last year. After completing her eligibility at USC and earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications, she became an assistant coach at the University of Wyoming and earned a master’s in mass communications. Ellerbe competed in the 2000 Olympic Games, placing seventh in the hammer throw. Now she’s back in Columbia, training for the 2004 Olympics and volunteering as an assistant coach for USC’s women’s track and field team. “I’m also working in customer service for Home Depot, which sponsors Olympians and provides a flexible schedule to accommodate training,” Ellerbe said. Her immediate goal is to train hard, stay focused, and perform well in the world championship games this August in France. Olympic trials for the U.S. track and field team will be held in July 2004 in California. “There are a lot of competitive girls out there, but I think I’ve got a good shot at making the U.S. team,” she said. “I’m not sure about the 2008 games. I’d like to keep training if my body cooperates.”