Her grandmother, Betty Harp, or “Big Mama,” also had a huge impact on the athlete’s life. Lauren Cross, the track coach at Sha’Carri’s high school, Carter High School, was another key figure during Sha’Carri’s developmental years.
The track coach saw Sha’Carri’s extraordinary talent when she was just 14 and nurtured it. Lauren recalled the amazement of onlookers, saying, “People would say, ‘That little girl, she’s running so fast?’”
She often thought about the medals on Big Mama’s wall — awards won by Shay, the family track star. Inspired by her aunt, young Sha’Carri would challenge her to races up their South Dallas street.
“We’d go from the bottom of the hill to Big Mama’s car. She [Shay] didn’t slow down. She didn’t let me win. And I think it was in fifth grade, the day I touched the car first. That’s when I knew,” Sha’Carri reminisced.
Under Lauren’s guidance, Sha’Carri left competitors in the dust, easily breaking Texas state records. However, Lauren soon became more than a coach. Sha’Carri saw her as extended family, earning Lauren the title of Godmother.
Sha’Carri won three Texas state titles in high school and became the top-ranked sprinter in the class of 2018. By the time she graduated, Sha’Carri was the number-one female sprint recruit in the United States.
In her freshman year at Louisiana State University, Sha’Carri broke the 100-meter collegiate record with a time of 10.75 seconds. This made her one of the ten fastest women in history at that time.
Her rapid rise in college athletics left little else to prove, so she turned professional. Sha’Carri signed with Nike and began training under Dennis Mitchell, who saw immense potential in her.
Dennis described Sha’Carri as a “once-in-a-generation talent.” He further noted, “Running that fast, it’s not natural — not for anyone. You have to teach your body to push that hard and to make all the little adjustments that shave off a half-second here, a half-second there.”
“One aspect of Sha’Carri’s talent is that when you tell her, ‘Do this,’ she understands how to apply the change. She’s very in tune with her body,” Dennis continued.
Embracing Identity and Style – Sha’Carri Richardson’s Fierce Presence on and off the Track
Over the years, Sha’Carri has become well-known for her incredible speed and talent. However, many also admire her for being a proud young Black woman who competes with confidence.
She became a star to watch after her impressive performance at trials. Sha’Carri also wowed spectators with her striking hairstyles, long nails, nose rings, and tattoos.
On May 9, 2021, Sha’Carri competed in the USATF Golden Games and World Athletics Continental Tour in a vibrant, electric blue wig. Her bold-colored locks flowed freely as she sprinted down the track, winning the Women’s 100 Meter Dash Prelims. Sha’Carri also maintained her signature long and carefully crafted nails.
On August 23, 2023, Sha’Carri took part in day five of the World Athletics Championships rocking intricate cornrows gathered into thick braids. The detailed pattern of the cornrows highlighted her creative approach to hairstyles. Her nails, on the other hand, were long and coffin-shaped, featuring a delicate floral design.
On August 26, 2023, Sha’Carri took to the podium to receive her bronze medal during the World Athletics Championships in a stylish combination of braided hair accented with vibrant red and yellow streaks.
Her nails were long and elaborately decorated, featuring a mix of pastel colors and intricate designs. Each nail showed a unique pattern, adorned with glittering accents and three-dimensional embellishments.
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