Kayla White, an accomplished A&T alum, continues to dominate on the track, earning major victories while representing Aggie excellence.
White made the USA team for the World Athletics Championship which was held in Tokyo on Sept. 21, 2025. White ran as the third leg in the women’s 4×100 meter relay alongside Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Twanisha Terry, and anchor Sha’Carri Richardson.
The team won the gold medal with a time of 41.75 seconds, narrowly beating Jamaica’s time at 41.79 seconds. White describes the experience as “amazing…unreal…I felt honored,” especially because she and her teammates train together everyday, to achieve a gold medal beside them and “do something so great and then get a gold medal at the same time. It felt like a big party.”
Before turning to track and field, White trained in ballet, hip-hop, and jazz. Encouraged by others who noticed her build, she discovered a talent in the sport.
“I was blessed and gifted to do (hurdling), but I had a higher quality in sprinting, and I was more talented in that field, so I just rolled with the punches once I got to college,” White said.
At A&T, White competed in over 175 races, earning 32 wins, 71 top-5 finishes, 14 MEAC titles, three first-team All-American honors, two second-team All-American honors, an indoor NCAA championship, and won the 60mh at the MEAC indoor championships all four years of her college career.
A native of Miami, Florida, White credits much of her drive and determination to her family.
“I would say my siblings and my family. I have a family full of women that are really strong, that have their head on their shoulders, (and) know what they want out of life. They poured so much into me while I was young. I just wanted to do the same thing they did for me.”
That support from her family has helped White work hard and push through challenges both in training and in competition.
On balancing her speed, strength, and recovery, White said, “It’s hard, but once you get on a certain regimen or routine, it becomes really easy… it feels like I need this necessary step in order to, you know, run fast.” Sticking to a routine helps her stay consistent and perform her best.
White also knows how important her support system is when things get tough. “Leaning on my teammates, and my coaches, because it’s not easy…but to have people pull you out of that place and remind you who you are, it’s like, everything.”
Throughout her career both collegiate and professional, one piece of advice has stayed with White from A&T Coach, Duane Ross.
“Who do you want to be? Do you want to be with somebody that regrets not doing something or you want to be somebody that took every single opportunity that was in front of them to be the best person, to be the best athlete that they can be.”
Having the mindset to seize every opportunity has stuck with White and continues to help guide her choices on and off the track.
Off the track, White enjoys taking time to relax and recharge. “I like sleeping. I like binge watching shows. I do like doing outdoor stuff, so I go horseback riding, fishing, swimming, stuff like that. I’m truly an outdoorsy girl.”
Building on how White balances her personal time, she also tries to give back and support others. Being a mentor to encourage young athletes is helpful, especially knowing firsthand how important support can be.
“I don’t want to see anybody fail or fall off. So, I try to play my part in being a mentor and just bringing other women up and just people in general. Hopefully that (will) inspire them to do the same.”
Going forward, White is focused on continuing her success on the track. She hopes for “more medals, more PRs, and just more healthy seasons.” Also, she hopes to inspire others and leave a lasting mark on track and field, showing that “you can come from anything, you can come from anywhere, and be a winner and do things that people say you can be.”
White’s dedication to the sport is matched with her pride in North Carolina A&T, the university that helped coach her into the athlete she is today. In a final statement, White had this to say.
“Aggie pride for life, Aggie born, Aggie bread, and when I die, I’m gonna be Aggie dead.”
