Amy Acuff

Amy Acuff was born in Port Arthur, Texas, on July 14, 1975. Her track and field career got off to a very early start as she participated in A.A.U. events for children aged 5 and under, competing in 50, 100 and 200 meter races. She was soon interested in other events, and broke the age 10 and under A.A.U. national long jump record in 1985.

Acuff began competing in the high jump while attending Calallen Middle School in Corpus Christi, even though there was no one at the school to coach her. Instead, she learned the mechanics of the sport through books, videos and instruction clinics. At the age of 13, she jumped 5'8", a height that put her in league with those at the high school state championship level.

Not only was Acuff fast becoming a track and field prodigy, she was also a fine basketball player, and as a sideline contributor, saw her high school basketball team win the state championships during her freshman year.

In 1990, during that same school year, Acuff's profile rose to the national level after she cleared 6'0" in the high jump. In 1991, her sophomore year, she jumped 6'2" and set a new Texas state record in the process. During her junior year, she established a new national record when she cleared 6'3".