Did you know?
That if you attended Emporia State University, from 1965 thru 1969, you may have had an Olympian in one of your classes.
Janell Smith Carson, who was from Fredonia, qualified for the 1964 Olympics that was held in Tokyo. She was the lone United States Sprinter to qualify for the 400-meter dash. The first year that the womens 400 meter dash was held in the Olympics.
She did not qualify for the finals; she had the 6th fastest time in her semi-final heat.
Before qualifying for the Olympics, she set several Jr Olympic records. She had a long jump of over 19 feet.
She had a best time of 52.3 seconds in the 400.
She set a world record for the 400 indoor.
She was also featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
While attending Emporia State, even though Emporia State did not have a womens track team, she did compete in the 1st ever NAIA Indoor National Track and field meet in 1966. In the womens division, she won both the 60-yard dash and the 440-yard dash.
In 1967 she did not compete due to a foot injury but was crowned Queen for the meet.
She is inducted into the Emporia State hall of honor and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Now you know
