By Conita Butts, Contributing Writer
Everything has a first. The first automobile. The first cellular phone. The first female African American Olympic superstars of San Diego. Becoming an Olympian is no easy feat. According to Edward Ford, Jr., Head Coach at Mercury San Diego Track and Field, “To become an Olympian you must go through a vigorous training regimen. Which consist of weights and various types of running plans that would create strength, endurance, and speed and long distance.”
The three phenomenal women who put in the time, the energy, and great effort were right here in San Diego: the late Audrey Mickey Patterson Tyler, the founder and coach of San Diego’s elite Mickey’s Missiles Track Club, was the first female African American to medal in track & field at the 1948 Olympics. This legendary woman won a bronze medal in the 200-meter dash. Ms. Audrey continued to work with athletes, male and female alike, producing other talented runners, including Olympian Dennis Mitchell.
Jackie Thompson was the first African American female from San Diego to make an Olympic team in 1972. In recognition of her tremendous achievement, she is quoted as saying, “No one would have thought a skinny little girl from San Diego could be in the Olympics!”
Renaye Bowen, aka Rochelle Goring, became the fastest female in the Nation and the first female from San Diego to win the USA track & field 100 (yd) meter championship in 1974. Says Goring, “Winning the national championship and becoming the fastest woman in America was a blessing. I did not realize how it would impact me, but I am grateful for the opportunity to travel all over the world. In addition, Title 9 had just passed so Arizona State University offered me one of the first full athletic scholarships for women.”
She has gone on to accomplish several things in her professional and academic life. “I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership. My career has been spent in Healthcare Management,” she says.
We salute these great women.
