Angel Perkins

Angel Perkins (born October 5, 1984) is an American former hurdler and sprinter specializing in the 400 metres and the 2008 World Athletics Indoor Championships bronze medalist in the 4 × 400 m relay. As a prep, she won gold medals at the 2001 World U18 Championships in the 200 m and medley relay, and was described as among the best high school sprinters ever in the 100 m and 200 m and world-class on the 400 m. She went on to place 2nd in both at the 2000 CIF California State Meet. She went on to win the 400 m national title at that year's USA U20 Outdoor Track and Field Championships. At just 15 years old, Perkins qualified for the 2000 United States Olympic trials and finished 5th in her 400 m heat.

The following year, Perkins won the state title in the 200 m. She then finished 4th in the 200 m at the senior 2001 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, running 23.46 into a -1.4 m/s headwind. In 2004, the 4th-place finish was upgraded to 3rd as the original 3rd-placer Kelli White was disqualified for doping. As a 16 year old running against adults, Perkins' finish was unexpected. In the sprint medley, Perkins ran third leg with Ashley Lodree, Allyson Felix, and Stephanie Smith and won another gold medal.

Perkins placed 7th in the 100 m at the 2002 U.S. U20 Outdoor Championships and she did not compete internationally that summer. The following year, Perkins finished 4th and 2nd in the 200 m and 400 m at the 2003 U20 Championships, qualifying her to represent the U.S. at the 2003 Pan American U20 Athletics Championships in the 400 m and 4 × 400 m relay. In the 400 m, Perkins won her heat and finished runner-up in the finals behind Stephanie Smith, while in the 4 × 400 m the U.S. team won the gold medal by over 7 seconds. She has three brothers and two sisters, including one who played basketball for California State University, San Bernardino. She first studied at the University of Arizona before transferring to Baylor University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 2009. In 2012, she earned a master's degree in criminal justice at Boston University.

In 2010, Perkins coached the track and field team at Los Angeles Southwest College. In her first year of coaching, she coached Shakina Phillips to a CA junior college state title in the 100 m hurdles and 2nd place in the 400 m hurdles. She went on to coach the women's sprinters and hurdlers on the Cerritos Falcons track and field team.