One of the fastest sprinters in Chattanooga and Tennessee girls’ prep track and field history has black and gold in her bright future.
Brainerd High School senior Danielle Dunning, a four-time TSSAA state champion, will stay in her home state to continue her academic and athletic career in college.
Confetti flew in the air all around Dunning on Thursday evening as she announced her signing to Vanderbilt University of the Southeastern Conference in front of friends and family inside the Brainerd library. She chose the Commodores over Grambling State, Kentucky and Ole Miss.
“This has been a blessing and a beautiful experience. I am honored to see so many people here tonight who have been with me since I was very little,” Dunning said. “Going through injuries and conquering your goals all while being a student-athlete is definitely stressful, but the support I have had has helped me reach this special day.”
Before she heads to Nashville, Dunning has the chance next spring to become the first female athlete to win four straight TSSAA 100-meter dash state championships.
The Chattanooga area has produced 15 TSSAA state champions in the 100 since 1982, with Dunning having won three along with Signal Mountain’s McKenzie Ethridge and Howard’s LaQuisha Jackson.
Dunning’s fastest finish in the 100, at 11.46 seconds her sophomore season, tied Jackson for the TSSAA girls’ record.
“My dreams have always been to be an Olympian. I would love to win the 100-meter dash in the Olympics,” said Dunning, whose father Donelle won state championships in the 100, 200 and 400 for Howard in 1993. “My biggest inspirations are Flo-Jo (Florence Griffith Joyner), Sha’Carri Richardson, Carmelita Jeter and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.”
As a junior, Dunning won her third consecutive state championship in the 100 despite battling a leg injury all season.
Her goal for her senior track and field season is to post a time fast enough to help her qualify for the Olympics. She said those times range from 10.90 seconds to 11.10 seconds in the 100.
The next edition of the Summer Games is set for 2028 in Los Angeles, so there is time for Dunning to get ready for the peak performances she’ll need to earn a spot representing the United States. Running for Vanderbilt will now be a part of that process.
“Chattanooga has been home for me my whole life, and Vanderbilt gave me all the family vibes I needed to make it my next home,” said Dunning, who has been a track and field All-American at various levels since she was 7 years old. “Vanderbilt’s education was priority No. 1. Their team is one big beautiful family, too.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.