Born in the U.S., but celebrated as a Puerto Rican track and field athlete, Yvonne Harrison specialized in the 400-meter hurdles. Her inspiring journey motivated a whole generation of young athletes in Puerto Rico. She embodied how one could proudly represent the land of their roots on the world stage, seamlessly blending an American training system with the deep-seated national pride of the Puerto Rican people. Read on for more details about Yvonne Harrison’s life and career on i-bronx.com
A Nimble and Educated Youngster
In the bustling Throggs Neck neighborhood of the Bronx, a place more often associated with high-rises and city life than Olympic sports, Yvonne Harrison was born on December 2, 1975. Even as a child, she didn’t just run—she seemed to fly. By age six, her teachers were already noting her endurance, while coaches recognized her tenacity and drive.
Yvonne’s family hailed from Puerto Rico, and that heritage was evident in everything she did—from her fiery temperament and unwavering determination to the dignity with which she approached every race. At Herbert Lehman High School, Yvonne became one of the strongest track and field athletes in the country. Even then, she caught the eye of national coaches, and her name began to be mentioned alongside legends.
Yet, sports never hindered her academic pursuits. She graduated from the prestigious University of Illinois. Later, Yvonne earned a master’s degree in theology from the Houston Graduate School of Theology, specializing in homiletics—the art of religious preaching.
Track and Field Successes
Yvonne Harrison began her journey in competitive sports as a member of her university’s track and field team, quickly establishing herself as one of the strongest 400-meter hurdlers. In 1998, she won silver at the NCAA championships, competing for the Fighting Illini. Despite this success, she was unable to advance past the qualifying rounds at the U.S. national championship that same year.
The very next season, in 1999, Yvonne made it to the U.S. championship final, finishing seventh. By 2000, she climbed to sixth place in the American Olympic trials. However, her true breakthrough came in 2001 when Harrison changed her athletic citizenship and began representing Puerto Rico. This move opened up new horizons. Immediately that same year, she won gold at the Central American and Caribbean Championships in her signature event (400-meter hurdles) and took silver in the 4×400-meter relay. At the World Championships that year, she set national records for Puerto Rico in both events.
In 2002, Yvonne continued her streak of successful performances: a victory at the Central American and Caribbean Games, and two bronze medals at the Ibero-American Championships (in the individual race and as part of the relay team). In 2003, she competed in an indoor season, traveling to South Africa, Japan, and Europe. At the Pan American Games, she finished fifth in the hurdles and sixth in the relay. That same year, the athlete participated in the World Championships but, unfortunately, didn’t win any medals. Nevertheless, her name was already well-known in the sports world—Puerto Rican newspapers like El Vocero and El Nuevo Dia actively wrote about her.
The 2004 season was challenging but crucial for Harrison. She competed in several international tournaments, including the Japan Grand Prix, where she finished eighth, and a competition in Rio de Janeiro, where she placed seventh. A subsequent injury forced her to take a break, but she managed to return and win a bronze at the Ibero-American Championships. The highlight of her year was undoubtedly the Olympic Games in Athens—Harrison represented Puerto Rico at that level for the first time, reaching the semifinals in the 400m hurdles.
While the following seasons, 2005 and 2006, were less spectacular, Yvonne continued to compete. She participated in the Pan American Games and the Ibero-American Championships, once again winning a bronze in 2006 in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Yvonne Harrison’s story is more than just a journey from a high school track to the Olympics. It’s a testament to how perseverance, self-belief, and deep inner motivation can move mountains—or at least, help you clear every hurdle on a 400-meter dash.
On the Football Field
Even before Yvonne Harrison’s name appeared on Olympic track and field rosters, she had already tried her hand at another sport: football. During her time at Lehman High School, she not only dominated running events but also played her debut season with the New York Sharks women’s football team. In 2008, this passion led Yvonne to join the U.S. flag football national team at the World Cup in Montreal.
For an athlete who just four years prior had finished 14th among 48 participants in the Olympic hurdles in Athens, this was a fresh challenge and an unforgettable experience.
“It was one of the brightest events in my life—second only to the Olympics,” she admitted.
Yvonne was one of only 11 chosen for the national team, which was already a great honor. When the NFL and USA Football were forming the team, they specifically reached out to the Sharks. Harrison’s candidacy was obvious; she was the second most effective defender on a team that finished the season 6–2. Her speed, honed over years on the track, became a huge advantage on the flag football field—a dynamic, compact version of American football where players pull flags from opponents’ belts instead of engaging in full-contact tackles.
“They put me on defense—and that made sense because I could react quickly and intercept players. I pulled a lot of flags and absolutely loved the game,” Yvonne recalled.
Although her team didn’t reach the podium, falling just short of medals after a loss to France, Yvonne thoroughly enjoyed the game and the thrill of competition.
“I’ve always loved football. It gives me strength, drive, and motivation. And now I’m aiming to reach a new level,” she said.
Coaching Career
After a stellar career on the track and football field, Olympic hurdler Yvonne Harrison didn’t rest on her laurels. She found her calling again in sports, this time as a coach. Harrison had led the women’s cross-country team at Long Island University Brooklyn and helped develop both the men’s and women’s programs. In just one season, Yvonne managed to move the team up two spots in the conference standings.
Her true proving ground as a coach was St. John’s University, where she spent nine fruitful years working with cross-country runners and track and field athletes. It was there that her sprinters began rewriting history. Under her guidance, five athletes qualified for the NCAA championships, and two more became champions in the Big East and ECAC conferences.
Her years at St. John’s were marked by a series of record-breaking achievements. In the 2011-2012 season, Harrison led the team to new heights, setting school records in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays. Her protégées won medals at ECAC and BIG EAST championships and even reached the finals of the NCAA championships. Molly Ellis, Riakka Lovely, and Claire Mooney were particularly outstanding, consistently setting new personal and team bests.
One of Yvonne’s greatest sources of pride was her mentee, Phobay Kutu-Akoi—a sprinter who set the Liberian national record in the 100 meters and competed at the 2012 London Olympic Games, carrying her country’s flag at the opening ceremony. For Harrison, this was a personal victory: the coach watched her student progress from a collegiate athlete to an Olympian.
Other athletes under her tutelage, such as Maxine Foster (a native of Jamaica), became BIG EAST and ECAC champions and qualified for the NCAA, setting personal records under Harrison’s guidance. Her 4×400 relay team climbed to second place on the university’s all-time performance list.
Harrison isn’t just a coach; she’s a mentor who shapes champions and helps them achieve the impossible. Her coaching philosophy is a blend of discipline, passion for the sport, and deep belief in her athletes. Her story is a testament to how a sports career can find new life in another, equally significant role.