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A former Coastal Carolina University sprinter is heading to the Olympic Games.

Melissa Jefferson, who competed for the Chanticleers from 2020-2022, earned a spot on the 100 meters Team USA after finishing second in the Olympic Team Trials with a 10.80 time on Saturday, June 22.

Jefferson, a Georgetown native who attended Carvers Bay High School, was dominant during her time at Coastal Carolina. She accumulated many accolades, including being the first-ever individual NCAA national champion in the history of CCU in 2022. In that same year, she was a World champion in the 4x100 as a part of Team USA鈥檚 women鈥檚 relay team and was a U.S. Track & Field 100-meter national champion.

鈥淚 feel all the love and support,鈥� Jefferson said. 鈥淚 would say that this is one of those things where the work you put in, it doesn鈥檛 happen overnight. I think that鈥檚 the biggest thing I have stayed true to, as far as what keeps me grounded, eager and motivated to soar toward success. It鈥檚 that none of this happened overnight.鈥�

Jefferson spent three seasons with the Chanticleers, where she built a record as one of the most successful individual athletes in CCU history.

She said that her time at Coastal, in addition to the support she has received from her family, are some of the main reasons why she has been able to accomplish her recent success.

鈥淚 feel like Coastal definitely helped me grow,鈥� Jefferson said. 鈥淲hen it came time for me to choose [a college], Coastal ended up being my very first choice. I would say that paid off. It has gotten me to where I am today鈥� And to have the support of my family just an hour away, that was a beautiful thing for me.鈥�

Sandy Fowler, the director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Coastal Carolina, has been leading Coastal Carolina鈥檚 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 programs since 2017. She coached Jefferson during her time at Coastal, watching her succeed with the Chanticleers and on the world and national levels.

Seeing Jefferson make the Olympic team, she says, was an emotion-filled experience.

鈥淚 think you go through a little bit of everything,鈥� Fowler said when asked about Jefferson鈥檚 performance. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e nervous because she鈥檚 nervous. You鈥檙e trying to figure out in advance things like what she鈥檚 going to do and what her approach is. And then Melissa being Melissa, she just went out there, was all business and got it done. It was absolutely phenomenal. I鈥檓 just so happy for her and am so proud of her.鈥�

Jefferson will compete in Paris in the 100-meter competition on Aug. 2-3, looking to bring a medal back home to the United States.

She said she hopes her performance will inspire others in South Carolina to work hard to achieve their dreams through a similar path that she followed.

鈥淭he biggest thing I would tell [young athletes] is to believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who support what you are trying to be and do,鈥� Jefferson said.