Leslie Jean DENIZ

Leslie Deniz won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in the discus throw. Deniz’s other major international medal was a gold at the 1980 Pan American Junior Championships. She also placed sixth at the 1981 World Cup. Deniz was US Champion in the discus in 1981 and 1983 and won the 1984 US Olympic Trials. Between 1983-86 she set six American records in the discus.

Deniz attended Arizona State University, where she was 1983 NCAA Champion and runner-up in 1982. In high school Deniz twice set national high school records in the discus. Deniz graduated from college with a degree in criminal justice, and later earned a masters’ degree in that field. She started in law enforcement as a police officer and administrator in the Yuba City Police Department. From 2002-06 she was chief of police at Cal State Chico. She then became a professor of criminal justice at Woodland Community College.

Personal Best: DT – 65.20 (1984).