St. John's University Athletics
2007-08 Women's Track and Field Roster
Shakira Best
- Height:
- 5-7
- Class:
- Freshman
- High School:
- Zebulon Vance
- Hometown:
- Charlotte, N.C.
As A Sophomore (2008-09): Cross Country - finished 30th at the Hofstra Invite (Sept. 6) with a time of 27:46.71.
As A Freshman (2007-08): Cross Country - season-best times, 15:43.0 (4K) at the STJ Fall Festival (Oct. 14), 20:59 (5K) at the National Catholic Championships (Sept. 14) and 29:19.8 (6K) at the Hofstra Invite (Sept. 8) ... Indoor - ran a season-best time of 2:21.50, finishing 12th at the Great Dane Classic (Jan. 25) ... was the anchor in the 4x800-meter relay at both the BIG EAST Championships (Feb. 23) and ECAC Championships (March 8), both which finished 12th, clocking in at 9:22.18 and 9:19.19, a season best, respectively ... Outdoor - ran a season-best 800-meter time of 2:18.82 at the Metropolitan Championships (April 19) ... anchored the All-East 4x800-meter relay team who finished eighth at the ECAC Championships (May 17) at 9:25.00.
Before St. John[apos]s: Received the 2007 Track and Field MVP award at Zebulon Vance High School ... member of the 2007 conference and regional championship team ... team placed fifth at the state championships her senior season ... holds the 800-meter individual school record and was a member of the 800-meter relay school record-breaking squad ... member of the 2007 Mecklenburg All Track club team ... back-to-back track and field MVP award winner at Garinger High School (2004-05) ... holds the Garinger record in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter events ... was named athlete of the year in both 2004 and 2005 ... also named basketball MVP in 2004 and 2005 and earned the award for best defensive basketball player in 2004.
Personal: Daughter of Sheryl Hedgepeth and Dougless Dewitt Best ... born in Charlotte, N.C. ... a government and politcs major with a minor in computer science ... has one brother, Shonta Best (21) who attends UNC-Charlotte ... is the Donovan Hall Vice President at St. John[apos]s ... was active in high school as a member of the student council, French Club and NAACP ... was the JROTC Chief Master Sergeant and the FCA President ... outside interests include basketball, golf and cooking ... plans to attend law school.
Off the Track
Nicknames: 'Best.'
Most Influential People In Best[apos]s Athletic Career: Her high school coaches, Coach Green and Coach McClarry, because they taught her how to be a true competitor.
Interesting Fact: Best is an ambidextrous who has played the violin for 12 years.
Favorite Pro Athlete: Jeremy Wariner.
Most Thrilling Moment In Her Athletic Career: Meeting Natasha Hastings, Jeremy Wariner and Lisa Barber at the 2008 Penn Relays.