Melissa Morrison-Howard, née Melissa Morrison (July 9, 1971) is an American hurdler best known for winning two Olympic bronze medals. She also won the bronze medal at the 2003 World Indoor Championships as well as one national indoor championships. From 1992 to 1993, the Southern Conference's indoor and outdoor championships voted her as The Most Valuable Performer. As of 2020, she is considered one of the top 6 US scorers of all time for the 100-meter hurdles.
She is a 1993 graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. During her career at Appalachian State, Morrison was coached by John Weaver. She won 17 individual Southern Conference championships and was an NCAA All-American in both the 55 and 100-meter hurdles in 1993.
In 2009, she was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame. Appalachian State University also honored her and other female athletes with the Trailblazer Award in 2018.
Following her Olympic successes, she worked as a special education teacher.
Personal bests Date Event Venue Time March 17, 2001 100 m Coral Gables, Florida 11.59 April 12, 2002 200 m Knoxville, Tennessee 23.98 August 23, 2004 100 m hurdles Athens, Greece 12.53
Achievements 1997 World Indoor Championships Paris, France 5th 60 m hurdles 1997 USA Outdoor Championships Indianapolis, United States 1st 100 m hurdles 1998 Grand Prix Final Moscow, Russia 2nd 100 m hurdles 1998 USA Indoor Championships 1st 60 m hurdles 1999 World Indoor Championships Maebashi, Japan 6th 60 m hurdles 2000 Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 3rd 100 m hurdles 2000 Grand Prix Final Doha, Qatar 4th 100 m hurdles 2002 Grand Prix Final Paris, France 7th 100 m hurdles 2002 USA Indoor Championships 1st 60 m hurdles 2003 World Indoor Championships Birmingham, England 3rd 60 m hurdles 2003 World Athletics Final Monaco 6th 100 m hurdles 2004 Olympic Games Athens, Greece 3rd 100 m hurdles
References
2009 Hall of Fame - Melissa Morrison Howard All-Time Women's World Rankings Leaders By the numbers Trailblazing athletes: App State honors 50th anniversary of women's varsity sports 340 attend 24th annual Red Ribbon Breakfast
Melissa Morrison-Howard Olympics Biography