Births on January 15

Shelia Burrell, American heptathlete

Shelia Burrell: An Illustrious American Heptathlete

Born on January 15, 1972, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Shelia Burrell is a highly accomplished retired American heptathlete. Known for her versatility and consistent performance across multiple disciplines, Burrell carved out a distinguished career on both national and international stages. The heptathlon, a demanding combined event in track and field, comprises seven distinct disciplines: the 100 meters hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meters, long jump, javelin throw, and 800 meters, testing an athlete's comprehensive athletic ability.

Olympic and World Stage Achievements

Burrell proudly represented the United States at the pinnacle of global athletics, the Summer Olympic Games, on two occasions. She made her Olympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and four years later, she competed again at the Athens 2004 Olympics. Her most notable Olympic performance was a commendable fourth-place finish, narrowly missing out on a medal, a testament to her elite competitive level among the world's best.

Her prowess extended to the World Championships in Athletics, where she also competed twice. A significant highlight of her career was securing a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics held in Edmonton, Canada. This achievement underscored her status as one of the world's top multi-event athletes, demonstrating her ability to perform under the highest international pressure.

Pan American Games Success and National Dominance

On the continental stage, Shelia Burrell demonstrated exceptional skill at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada. There, she was a double silver medalist, earning a silver in the grueling heptathlon competition and another as part of the United States' 4x400 meters relay team. Her personal best in the heptathlon stands at an impressive 6472 points, a score that consistently placed her among the global elite. Domestically, Burrell was a dominant force, clinching the American national championship title in the heptathlon on four separate occasions, specifically in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2004, highlighting her sustained excellence within the U.S. track and field scene.

Success on the Professional Circuit

Shelia Burrell's professional career was marked by significant victories at prestigious multi-event meetings worldwide. She notably triumphed at the 2002 Hypo-Meeting in Götzis, Austria, one of the most renowned combined events competitions globally, often considered the "unofficial world championships" for combined events. This victory followed strong and consistent performances at the same event, where she secured impressive fourth-place finishes in both 1999 and 2000. Her final appearance at the Hypo-Meeting was in 2004, where she finished sixth. In 2001, she also claimed victory at the Décastar competition in Talence, France, another highly respected international multi-event meeting that attracts top athletes.

Academic Background and Influential Coaching

Beyond her athletic achievements, Shelia Burrell pursued a robust academic path, completing a major in English and American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During her collegiate years, she was guided by the esteemed coach Bob Kersee, widely recognized for coaching numerous Olympic medalists, including his wife, the legendary Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Following her time with Kersee, Burrell continued her development under the tutelage of Jane Frederick, a former Olympian and world record holder in the pentathlon, who brought her own elite multi-event experience to Burrell's training. Post-college, her coaching journey further evolved under the guidance of Cliff Rovelto, another prominent figure in track and field coaching known for his expertise in combined events.

Clarifying Family Ties

Despite sharing a surname with other prominent American track and field athletes, Shelia Burrell is not related to her contemporaries and fellow African-American athletes Leroy Burrell, a renowned sprinter and former world record holder in the 100 meters, or Dawn Burrell, a successful long jumper. This distinction is often clarified to avoid common misconceptions given their shared sporting discipline and surname, as they are often erroneously assumed to be family members.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shelia Burrell

When and where was Shelia Burrell born?

Shelia Burrell was born on January 15, 1972, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What is Shelia Burrell's personal best in the heptathlon?

Her personal best in the heptathlon is an impressive 6472 points, achieved during her professional career.

Did Shelia Burrell win an Olympic medal?

While Shelia Burrell competed in two Olympic Games (Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004) and achieved a best finish of fourth place, she did not win an Olympic medal.

What major championships did Shelia Burrell win medals at?

Shelia Burrell won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics (Edmonton, Canada) and two silver medals at the 1999 Pan American Games (Winnipeg, Canada), specifically in the heptathlon and as part of the 4x400m relay team.

How many times was Shelia Burrell the U.S. national champion?

Shelia Burrell was the American national heptathlon champion on four occasions: in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2004.

Is Shelia Burrell related to Leroy or Dawn Burrell?

No, Shelia Burrell is not related to fellow track and field athletes Leroy Burrell or Dawn Burrell, despite sharing the same surname and competing in the same sport.