April 20, 2010
PHILADELPHIA - San Diego State first-year head coach Shelia Burrell has been named to the Team USA coaching staff for the 114th Penn Relays, which will be held this coming weekend in Philadelphia. Burrell, who led the Aztec track and field team to a third-place finish at the MWC indoor championships in February, their best finish since 2004, will be one of three coaches for the women's relay team in Saturday's 11th edition of USA vs. the World.
Some of the athletes in the U.S. relay pool include three-time World 200-meter champion Allyson Felix, 2009 World Outdoor 400-meter champion Sanya Richards-Ross, 2010 World Indoor 400-meter champion Debbie Dunn, 2009 World Outdoor 400-meter hurdles silver medalist Lashinda Demus, Beijing 400-meter hurdles silver medalist Sheena Tosta, two-time World Outdoor bronze medalist Carmelita Jeter, 2010 World Indoor 800-meter bronze medalist Alysia Johnson, 2009 No. 2 ranked (800 meters) Anna Pierce, and relay stars Lisa and Miki Barber, Natasha Hastings and Dee Dee Trotter.
"The last time I represented the United States was as an athlete at the Olympic Games and many of the athletes that are competing were still babies in the sport when I retired," Burrell said. "Being asked to represent the USA as a coach in whatever capacity these athletes need is going to be fun and inspiring. Penn Relays represents the best of track and field in the United States. It's one of the most exciting meets that I have been a part of here at home. I'm looking forward to working with the athletes and other coaches, and sharing those experiences with our team here at San Diego State."
The world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, will also be participating in the Penn Relays, which will be broadcast on Saturday (April 24) on ESPN2, beginning at 5 p.m. PT.