Ariana Washington


Ariana Washington is an American sprinter specializing in the 100 m and 200 m. She represented the United States in the relay at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and earned a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships as part of the relay team.

Early life

Ariana Washington was born August 27, 1996 in Signal Hill, California. Washington attended Long Beach Poly High School where she participated in track and field. As a sophomore, her team the Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits won the Penn Relays. Washington won state titles at 100 and 200 meters for her sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school.

Collegiate athlete

In her first year at the University of Oregon, Washington won NCAA titles for 100 meters and 200 meters. She was the first freshman to win both titles.

Olympian

Washington raced in both the 100 and the 200 meter distances at the U.S. Olympic Trials for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, finishing six and fifth respectively. Although she did not qualify as an individual at either distance, she was selected for the United States relay pool in the relay. The community of Long Beach, California raised money to allow Washington's mother and brother to watch her compete in Rio de Janeiro.