Denean Elizabeth HOWARD-HILL

Denean Howard competed at the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympics as a 400 metre runner and in the 4x400 relay, winning three medals in the 4x4, with gold in 1984 and silvers in 1988-92. Howard competed as Denean Howard in 1984, Denean Howard-Hill in 1988, and Denean Hill in 1992. Internationally, she won bronze in the 4x4 at the 1987 World Championships, gold in the 4x4 and bronze in the 400 at the 1987 Pan American Games, and gold in both the 400 and 4x400 relay at the 1987 Universiade.

Howard made the 1980 US Olympic team as a high school runner, alongside her sister, Sherri Howard. Sherri also won medals in the 4x400 at the 1984 Olympics (gold) and 1988 Olympics (silver). Sherri and Denean, with their two sisters, Artra and Tina, came to national fame in 1979 when the four sisters set a longstanding high school record for the 4x440 yard relay.

Denean Howard married professional boxer Virgil Hill, who she met at the 1984 Olympics, although they later divorced. Their son, Virgil Hill, played minor league baseball from 2009-12 after being chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft. Denean Howard-Hill worked as a track coach, including at the College of the Canyons.

Personal Best: 400 – 49.87 (1988).