September 4, 1966

Born in Gainesville, Florida, Jearl graduated from Alabama A&M University in 1989 before becoming a World Champion and Olympic Gold medalist. Jearl is known as one of the strongest sprint-middle distance combination runners in history. Her career is respected both for her tremendous success in the 400m and 800m and its longevity, having competed in four Olympic Games and medaled in three.

Jearl’s accolades and awards are extensive and include a silver medal in the 4x400 relay at the 1992 Olympics and gold medals at the 1996 and 2000 Games. A six-time World Championship competitor, she won nine medals, including four golds, with three relay golds, and highlighted by her 1993 gold medal in the 400 meters. She was also World Indoor Champion at 400 meters in 1997 and won the 1992 World Cup. She set three American records in the 800 meters during her career, with her final one at 1:56.40, run in Zürich on 11 August 1999.

Jearl is an inductee of both the Alabama A&M and USA Track and Field Hall of Fames. After retiring from competition, Jearl went into coaching, assisting her husband, J. J. Clark at the University of Connecticut.

Jearl currently lives in Palo Alto, California, with her husband J.J. and their son Jorell.