Tar Heel Trailblazer: Sharon Couch-Fikes

Posted Feb 15, 2016
In 1991, Sharon Couch-Fikes became the first African-American to win the Patterson Medal, Carolina's highest athletic honor. The next year, she became the first track athlete from UNC to compete at the Olympic Games, in Barcelona. Twenty-four years later, she has been named a Tar Heel Trailblazer. (GoHeels.com)

Related: Track & Field

UNC Track & Field Announces Addition Of All-American JJ Olivera
The future of North Carolina Track & Field is bright with Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Chris Miltenberg announcing the addition of All-America pole...
Thu Jul 2, 2026

UNC Track & Field Welcomes Back Scott Houston As Assistant Coach
Tar Heel letterwinner and pole vault great Scott Houston returns home to Chapel Hill as director of track and field/cross country, as Chris Miltenberg announced...
Wed Jul 1, 2026

Newsletter: OmaHeels Advance, Michael Malone At NBPA Top-100 Camp, Osaruyi Schedules Official Visit
UNC Baseball is one win away the championship series at the College World Series, Michael Malone was on hand in Omaha between stops on the...
Mon Jun 15, 2026

Makayla Paige Runs Top-10 800m Time In NCAA History, 3 Other UNC All-Americans
Makayla Paige ran a top-ten time in NCAA history at the NCAA Championships, closing her illustrious career with a fourth-place finish in the fastest...
Sun Jun 14, 2026