Rhonda Brady Gilles Anderson

Rhonda Brady Gilles Anderson is a former American track and field athlete. She was primarily known for running short hurdle races but was also successful as a sprinter. Shortly after finishing her junior year at Calumet High School in Gary, Indiana, she qualified to represent the United States at the 1976 Olympics in the 100-meter hurdles. She was the youngest to qualify for that team at the 1976 Olympic Trials where she won her race against more experienced competitors.  The following year she won the Indiana State High School Championship in the 100-meter hurdles. She was the three-time United States Junior Champion in the hurdles. She still ranks #5 on the State of Indiana’s 100-meters list, and in the 100-meter hurdles she remains a clear #1, more than a third of a second ahead of the next best.  Following high school, she joined Ed Temple's program at Tennessee State University.  She was ranked in the American top ten in 1976 to 1978 and managed to return to the top ten in 1985. She also returned to the Olympic Trials in 1984 and 1988. When not competing for her high school or collegiate team, she competed for the Mayor Hatcher Youth Foundation, named for then Gary Mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher. She eventually went into coaching at Lew Wallace High School winning State Championships in 1992, 1993, and 1994. Her coaching career concluded with Roosevelt High School and Wheeler High School.