Sheila Hudson is known for her remarkable jumping abilities. Over the course of her college career, Hudson earned six national collegiate titles, including a historic “double-double” at the NCAA Division I Championships where she became the first woman to sweep the horizontal jumps in both indoor and outdoor events.
Hudson’s success on the national stage was marked by her record-breaking performances and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. In the 1987 NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships triple jump, she held the lead through five attempts before being overtaken by Pac-10 rival Yvette Bates. Hudson responded with an incredible jump of 13.78m (45-2½), setting a world record and clinching victory.
The following year, Hudson once again found herself trailing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. However, she came back to win with an all-conditions world best of 13.92w (45-8w), showcasing her determination and resilience.
After taking a year off, Hudson continued to excel, this time indoors. In 1990, she won the NCAA Indoor Championships long jump by nearly a foot and then went on to set a world indoor best in the triple jump with a jump of 13.94m (45-9) on her final attempt.
Hudson completed her historic double-double by winning the NCAA long jump with a personal record of 6.73m (22-1) before claiming the triple jump title and extending her own collegiate and American record to 14.04m (46-¾). Overall, Hudson’s remarkable performances and consistency at the highest level of competition have cemented her as one of the greatest jumpers in college track and field history.