Kalani Witherspoon (born 15 February 2005) is a track athlete-sprinter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[1] She is the daughter of Derrick Witherspoon, a retired professional American football player with the National Football League (NFL).[2]
Early life and education
editWitherspoon is a 2023 graduate of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia, where she was both a gymnast and a sprinter. In 2023, Witherspoon was the Georgia High School Association champion in the 100 meter hurdles event. In 2022, as a high school junior, she was runner-up in the state for 100 meter hurdles [2] She still holds the record for 100 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles at Carrollton High School.[3] In 2023, she placed first in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 14.73 seconds.[4]
In 2022, as a gymnast, she won first place in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State 7A Gymnastics Championships.[5] The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote an article highlighting the connection of Kalani Witherspoon and her father, Derrick Witherspoon when she competed in the New Balance Nationals[6]
Collegiate career
editShe is currently a sprinter at the University of North Carolina[2] She finished 16th overall in the 100 meter hurdles at the Raleigh Relays in January 2024.[7]
Personal life
editWitherspoon is the daughter of Kolowa and Derrick Witherspoon. Her father, Derrick Witherspoon played football and ran track at Clemson University (1990-1993) and played American football professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles (1995-1997).
References
edit- ^ Kalani Witherspoon at World Athletics
- ^ a b c "Kalani Witherspoon - Track & Field". University of North Carolina Athletics. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Carrollton High School - Rankings". MileSplit GA. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ Cole, Tucker (2023-03-21). "Trojans had 12 first-place finishes to win Carrollton Invitational". Times-Georgian. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ Cole, Tucker (2022-04-25). "Witherspoon wins state gymnastics title". Times-Georgian. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ Bansil, Sapna (2023-06-17). "On Father's Day weekend, a former Eagle returns to Philly to see his daughter compete at New Balance Nationals". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Raleigh Relays Final Results" (PDF). NC State University Athletics. Retrieved 2024-04-16.