Interview Sherifa Sanders
1981 Berkeley Team Member
A couple of decades later talking to a member of
probably the state's top combined Boys/Girls program

 
photo right by Don Gosney
Sherifa Sanders - part of super Berkeley HS Teams - to left in both photos
left photo 1981 State Meet - right photo at San Jose CC

The level of talent in the Berkeley HS Track program that rolled through Berkeley HS during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s was frightening!! Keith Conning did a great job of summarizing the 1981 squad in a recent article. We had a chance to ask a prominent member of the program from those days, Sherifa Sanders, 1981 State 100 meter Hurdles Champ and a 1980 medalist in the hurdles and long jump, what it was like to be involved with the Berkeley Yellowjacket program in those days. Below are her answers a couple of decades after the great time in the East Bay!

1) How early did your track career and involvement with Coach Willie White and his group begin?

When I was about nine/ten I stared working with coach Willie.

2) How much competing and travel did you do for track and field before you came to high school?

Before high school I did a lot traveling with the Berkeley East Bay track club along with a club called 1980. I made Jr. Nationals as well.

3) Was there a special attitude that team members approached practices with during your years at Berkeley? Was there a special vibe with so many successful team members around?

We always had a strict coach when we were young so in high school we were trained to do what we were told and we had a positive attitude and we all were very motivated.

4) I remember, I think it was Pete Richardson, who commented that Coach White did a great job of getting his athletes ready to compete at a high level and he did not really need to baby-sit them like someone thought he might--with that 1981 group having so many athletes at the top elite level and performing there at the state meet when one hoped they would all peak, comment on this preparation for competition--

Hard work and dedication to the sport

5) Where do the years at Berkeley HS, the school and athletics, rate in your life--many say later the teen years were the best of their lives. How did you feel about that time and statement?

It was one of the best times, along with my college days.

6) What did you do after you graduated from Berkeley?

I went to Oklahoma University on a track scholarship, also I participated in the 1984 Olympic trials in the women's 100 hurdles.

7) What are you currently involved with as a career and family situation?

I work at U.C. Davis medical and I have 3 ravishing kids

8) Do you keep in contact with any of the Berkeley group?

Sometimes, but not often.

9) Where does that 1981 State meet rate in your hierarchy of enjoyable athletic experiences? (our school ran the meet and it rates pretty high up there among competitions I've been able to see)

It rates pretty high up there.

Thanks Sherifa - good luck
and we'll look for the kids when they get to the HS Track age!!