VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- Over 30 years after wrapping up the most decorated career in Christopher Newport athletics history, Sheila Trice added another award to her extensive résumé as the former track & field legend was elected to the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
With her selection, Trice becomes the first athlete in Christopher Newport history to receive the prestigious honor. Overall, she is the fourth Captain to earn a spot in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, joining longtime coach and athletic director C.J. Woollum and former administrators Al Pearce and Bob Moskowitz.
From 1986 through 1990, Trice became a living legend for her exploits as a member of the Christopher Newport track & field program. Over the course of four years, she won 15 national titles, including four during the 1989 NCAA Indoor Championships. With that performance, she became just the second track & field athlete in history to win four individual titles during a single championship meet, joining former Ohio State star and Olympic hero Jesse Owens.
Overall, Trice finished the 1989 competition with 40 points after winning the 55, 55-hurdles, long jump, and triple jump. Her individual total out-distanced the second-place team by nine points.
By the end of her career, Trice accumulated eight indoor national titles, which still stands as the most by any athlete at any level of the NCAA in track & field history. She also added seven outdoor crowns, producing at least one national title in the 55, 55-hurdles, 100, 200, long jump, triple jump, and 4x100-relay during her standout career.
Along with her NCAA crowns, Trice was a 30-time All-American and a 35-time national qualifier. In addition to her individual exploits, she helped lead the Captains to six consecutive NCAA track & field team championships from the 1987 outdoor meet through the 1990 indoor competition.
To this day, Trice still owns the NCAA Division III record in the indoor 55 after posting a time of 6.80 at the 1990 Virginia State Championships. Her mark of 8.00 in the 55-hurdles at the 1989 NCAA meet also ranks 10th on the all-time national charts.
A 23-time conference champion, Trice was named to the USTFCCCA National Division III Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2009. She was also inducted into the Christopher Newport Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
Trice was joined in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2023 by former NFL standout DeAngelo Hall, William & Mary football coach Jimmye Laycock, Olympic Gold Medalist Francena McCorory, Virginia football legend Shawn Moore, longtime sportswriter Jerry Ratcliffe, Roanoke lacrosse standout Bob Rotanz, and World Series champion Ryan Zimmerman.
The Class of 2023 will be officially enshrined during the 50th annual Induction Ceremony on April 22 in Virginia Beach. Since 1972, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame has recognized 345 athletes, coaches, and contributors for their impact on athletics in Virginia.
---ISH---
