{{short description|American long jumper}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Sha'keela Saunders | image = USATF day 3 2018 (28106858437).jpg | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|12|18}} | birth_place = Elizabeth City, North Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height = 1.68 m | weight = | website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20151230070724/http://www.teamusa.org/usa-track-and-field/athletes/ShaKeela-Saunders] | country = United States | sport = Track and field | event = Long jump | collegeteam = University of Kentucky | club = | team = | turnedpro = 2017 | coach = Edrick Floréal | coaching = | worlds = | regionals = | nationals = | olympics = | highestranking = | pb = {{convert|6.90|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | show-medals = yes | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Women's athletics}} {{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{Medal||2017 London|Long jump}} {{MedalCompetition|NACAC Championships}} {{MedalGold|2018 Toronto|Long jump}} }} '''Sha'Keela Saunders''' (born December 18, 1993) is an American track and field athlete who competes in the long jump.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/united-states/shakeelah-saunders-267677 |title=Sha'Keela Saunders |publisher=IAAF |date=September 2, 2017| accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref> Saunders finished third at the long jump final at the 2017 IAAF Diamond League and 2018 IAAF Diamond League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://static.sportresult.com/sports/at/data/2017/brussels/re1830040.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902223048/http://static.sportresult.com/sports/at/data/2017/brussels/re1830040.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |title=Brusells Belgium final of IAAF Diamond League 2017 |publisher=IAAF |date=September 1, 2017| accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref> She represented her country at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics and won gold at NACAC Championships.
==Professional career== In Fall 2022, coach Sha'Keela Saunders joined Hampton University track and field staff.<ref>[https://hamptonpirates.com/sports/womens-track-and-field Track and Field news] Hampton Pirates and Lady Pirates</ref><ref>[https://twitter.com/MauricePierce19/status/1582403025012158464 Welcome to Hampton Sha’Keela Saunders as my new Assistant Coach. (UK c/o 2016, 13 x All-American, 2017 Nat’l Champion, 2018 U.S. Champion, Team USA, 2019 World Championships Finalist). @keela_saunders @KentuckyTrack @usatf @LHRubama] Maurice Pierce Oct 18, 2022</ref> {| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}} |- |2017 |World Championships |London, United Kingdom |21st (q) |Long jump |{{convert|6.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |- |2018 |NACAC Championships |Toronto, Canada |bgcolor=gold|1st |Long jump |{{convert|6.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |- |2019 |World Championships |Doha, Qatar |9th |Long jump |{{convert|6.54|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |} <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.all-athletics.com/node/167016 |title=Sha'Keela Saunders All Athletics profile |publisher=IAAF |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902185743/http://www.all-athletics.com/node/167016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===National championships=== {| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}} |- |2022 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Eugene, Oregon |6th |Long jump |{{convert|6.51|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |- |2022 |2022 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships |Spokane, Washington |bgcolor=cc99000|3rd |Long jump |{{convert|6.48|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |- |2021 |United States Olympic trials |Eugene, Oregon |6th |Long jump |{{convert|6.71|m|ftin|abbr=on}} |- |2019 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Des Moines, Iowa |bgcolor=cc99000|3rd |Long jump |{{convert|6.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flashresults.com/2019_Meets/Outdoor/07-25_USATF_CIS/results.pdf |title=2019 USA Track & Field - Results - FULL USATF Championships - Drake Stadium Results |publisher=FlashResults.com |accessdate=September 13, 2020}}</ref> |- |2018 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Des Moines, Iowa |bgcolor=gold|1st |Long jump |{{convert|6.54|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2018/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results.aspx |title=2018 USA Track & Field - Results - FULL USATF Championships - 6/21/2018 to 6/24/2018 Drake Stadium Results |publisher=usatf.org |accessdate=September 10, 2018 |archive-date=December 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219082100/http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2018/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2017 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Sacramento, California |bgcolor=cc99000|3rd |Long jump |{{convert|6.92|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/usatf/files/4c/4c7887e4-74b1-496b-b673-999b196f1ccb.htm |title=2017 USA Track & Field - Results - FULL USATF Championships - 6/22/2017 to 6/25/2017 Hornets Stadium, Sacramento Results |publisher=usatf.org |accessdate=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012190524/http://www.legacy.usatf.org/usatf/files/4c/4c7887e4-74b1-496b-b673-999b196f1ccb.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2016 |USA Olympic Trials |Eugene, Oregon |4th |Long jump |{{convert|6.89|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials---Track---Field/Results.aspx |title=2016 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) - USA Track & Field - Results |publisher=usatf.org |accessdate=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715122625/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2016/U-S--Olympic-Team-Trials---Track---Field/Results.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2015 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Eugene, Oregon |5th |Long jump |{{convert|6.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results-by-Day/Results-FULL.aspx|title=2015 USA Track & Field - Results - FULL|publisher=usatf.org|accessdate=September 2, 2017|archive-date=October 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005155325/http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2015/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Results-by-Day/Results-FULL.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |2014 |USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships |Hornet Stadium (Sacramento) |7th |Long jump |{{convert|6.42|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2014/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Complete-Results.aspx|title=2014 USA Track & Field - Complete Results|publisher=usatf.org|accessdate=September 2, 2017|archive-date=August 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811174645/http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2014/USATF-Outdoor-Championships/Complete-Results.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> |}
==University of Kentucky== Sha'Keela Saunders is a 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor track and field Long jump champion. Sha'Keela Saunders earned 13-time NCAA Division I All-America honors. Sha'Keela Saunders first broke the University of Kentucky Wildcats school record in the long jump for the first time {{convert|6.53|m|ftin|abbr=on}} en route to a first-place finish at the 2015 University of Kentucky Rod McCravy Memorial Track & Field Meet at Southeastern Conference for Women's Indoor Track and Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzCtiFmyltg |title=Sha'Keela Saunders Kentucky Track and Field video of the jump|date=23 January 2015 |publisher=Kentucky Wildcats |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref> Sha'Keela Saunders set the University of Kentucky Wildcats school record in the Long jump in {{convert|6.90|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in 2017 - a performance thank ranked / placed her in third on the all-time collegiate indoor list.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tfrrs.org/athletes/4177198/Kentucky/Sha'Keela_Saunders.html |title=Sha'Keela Saunders Kentucky Track and Field Results |publisher=Track and Field Results Reporting System |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3015 |title=Sha'Keela Saunders |publisher=University of Kentucky |date=September 2, 2017| accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref>
Sha'Keela Saunders improved on the University of Kentucky Wildcats school record in the Triple jump {{convert|13.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}} but in the same meet (2017 SEC Outdoor Championship on ESPNU) her teammate Marie Josée Ebwea Bile improved on that record {{convert|13.39|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kty-platform-secure-prod.silverchalice.co/v3/files/5937ae3fe4b042c045978beb |title=Women's Indoor Track and Field All-Time Records |publisher=University of Kentucky |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Saunders was named to the Bowerman Award watch list in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/other-uk-sports/article136155398.html |title=Sha'Keela Saunders named to the Bowerman Award Watch List |publisher=Kentucky Wildcats |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/news/2017/4/21/58fa22e5e4b0ac1f3aef98ed_131467773457653717.aspx |title=Sha'Keela Saunders on Mid-Outdoor Bowerman Watch List |publisher=University of Kentucky |date=April 21, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Conference indoor !! NCAA indoor !! Conference Outdoor !! NCAA Outdoor |- | 2017 ||bgcolor=gold|Long Jump {{convert|6.81|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 1st<br>Triple Jump {{convert|13.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 7th<br> 4x400 meters 3:36.25 5th ||bgcolor=gold|Long Jump {{convert|6.90|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 1st<br>{{convert|12.80|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 13th ||bgcolor=silver|Long Jump {{convert|6.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 2nd<br>Triple Jump {{convert|12.15|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 13th<br> 4x400 meters 3:35.56 6th ||Long Jump {{convert|6.48|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 5th<br> 4x400 meters 3:40.20 21st |- | 2016 || bgcolor=cc99000|Long Jump {{convert|6.59|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 3rd<br>Triple Jump {{convert|12.56|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 10th || bgcolor=silver|Long Jump {{convert|6.56|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 2nd<br>Triple Jump {{convert|13.01|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 8th ||bgcolor=silver|Long Jump {{convert|6.61|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 2nd<br>Triple Jump {{convert|13.19|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 5th || Triple Jump {{convert|13.21|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 9th |- | 2015 ||bgcolor=gold|Long Jump {{convert|6.55|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 1st<br>Triple Jump {{convert|13.08|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 4th || bgcolor=silver|Long Jump {{convert|6.53|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 2nd<br>{{convert|13.08|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 6th || Long Jump {{convert|6.52|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 5th<br>Triple Jump {{convert|12.48|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 10th || bgcolor=cc99000|Long Jump {{convert|6.75|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 3rd |- | 2014 || bgcolor=silver|Long Jump {{convert|6.20|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 4th<br> 200 meters 24.22 24th || 4x400 meters 3:37.69 12th || 4x400 meters 3:34.93 4th<br>Long Jump {{convert|5.96|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 10th<br>Triple Jump {{convert|12.68|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 9th || 4x100 meters 45.05 18th<br>4x400 meters 3:39.09 24th<br> bgcolor=silver|Long Jump {{convert|6.43|m|ftin|abbr=on}} 2nd<br>4x400 meters 3:39.09 22nd<br>4x100 meters 45.05 18th |}
==Prep== Saunders is a 2012 graduate of Nansemond River High School in Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=4081862#/L0 |title=Sha'Keela Saunders 12th grede results |publisher=MileSplit |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=3038273#/L0 |title=Sha'Keela Saunders 11th grede results |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://va.milesplit.com/articles/pro/41951/athlete-spotlight-shakeela-saunders |title=Athlete Spotlight Sha'Keela Saunders |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=1190556#/L0 |title=Sha'Keela Saunders 9th grede results |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902184018/https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=1190556#/L0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=https://kty-platform-secure-prod.silverchalice.co/v3/files/5937ae3fe4b042c045978beb |title=Women's Indoor Track and Field All-Time Records |publisher=University of Kentucky |date=September 2, 2017 |accessdate=September 2, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Sha'Keela Saunders}} *{{World Athletics}} *{{Twitter|keela_saunders}} *[https://london.diamondleague.com/athletes/14320623.html IAAF Diamond League profile]
{{Footer US NC Long Jump Women}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saunders, Sha'Keela}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Track and field athletes from Virginia Category:American women long jumpers Category:American women triple jumpers Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for the United States Category:University of Kentucky alumni Category:American sportswomen Category:Sportspeople from Elizabeth City, North Carolina Category:Sportspeople from Suffolk, Virginia Category:USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2015 Pan American Games Category:Medalists at the 2015 Pan American Games Category:Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in athletics (track and field) Category:21st-century American sportswomen Category:Kentucky Wildcats women's track and field athletes Category:Track and field athletes from Kentucky Category:NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships winners