Dawn Sowell (born 27 March 1966) is an American formersprinter who ran the fastest times in the100 meters and200 meters in 1989, with 10.78 secs and 22.04 secs.[1] The 10.78 clocking made her the third-fastest woman of all-time at that time, and still ranks her 19th on theworld all-time list (as of 2024).
Dawn was born inPhiladelphia, one of seven children, the daughter of an electrician. Her mother worked three jobs simultaneously, until moving to a career in real estate. Sowell attendedChester High School inChester, Pennsylvania. She had no interest in sport until she realized that she was faster than the boys in her gym class. Her family moved toRichmond, Virginia, where she graduated from Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High School in 1984. She matriculated to junior college and moved to Texas.[2]
Sowell won her first and only senior national title at the1989 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, taking the 100 m crown in 11.12 seconds, ahead ofSheila Echols andEsther Jones.[3] Her only international appearance for the United States followed at the1989 IAAF World Cup, where she was a member of the bronze medal-winning4 × 100-meter relay team alongside Echols, Jones andWendy Vereen.[4] She was tipped to be the next FloJo , but retired from track and field due to chronic injury problems. Sowell is now a public speaker, focusing on health and wellness.[5]
