Her mother, Alabe, is a teacher's aide. Devers grew up in San Diego, California. "We were a 'Leave It to Beaver' family," Devers recalled in
Sports Illustrated. "We had picnics, rode bikes and played touch football together. We did Bible studies together."
Dashing Devers
Devers began winning gold medals as a teenager. While attending Sweetwater High School in National City, California, her outstanding performance on the women's track team helped the school win the San Diego sectional track and field team title. In 1984, at age 17, Devers won the 100-meter dash and the 100-meter hurdles at the state high school track and field championships. She also took second in the long jump.
Meets coach
Devers attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). It was at UCLA that she met her coach, Bob Kersee. Kersee is the husband and coach of famous track and field star Jackie Joyner-Kersee. He is also a tough coach who asks a lot of his students. Kersee prepared Valerie Brisco to win three Olympic gold medals in 1984, Florence Griffith Joyner to win three in 1988, and his wife to capture three more Olympic first place finishes between 1988 and 1992.
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