Francie Kraker Goodridge

Francea ("Francie") Norma Kraker Goodridge (born February 9, 1947 in Ann Arbor, Michigan) is a former women's track and field athlete and coach from the United States. She set a world record in the 600-yard indoor event and was the first Michigan-born woman to win a place on the U.S. Olympic team (Mexico City in 1968 and Munich in 1972). She later coached women's track at the University of Michigan, Wake Forest University and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she was also the Coordinator of Women's Athletics. She has been inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, the University of Michigan Women's Track and Field Hall of Fame and the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

Early years Kraker Goodridge was the middle of three daughters of Dr. Ralph and Norma Kraker. She describes herself as having been a "tomboy." She went to sporting events with her father who helped raise money for the high school gymnasium, a facility that girls were not allowed to use. She was the first girl to train for track at Slauson Junior High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She added: "Athletically, I jog, bike, ski cross-country and kayak. I'm working to stay ahead of the aging process."

Awards and honors Francie has received numerous awards and honors for her achievements. In 1994, she was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, the fourth woman so honored. And in 1995, she was the second person inducted into the Michigan Women's Track and Field Hall of Fame, following her mentor Red Simmons. In 2001, she was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, a group that includes 170 members as diverse as civil rights leader Rosa Parks, former First Lady Betty Ford, and entertainers Lily Tomlin and Aretha Franklin. Kraker is one of only two athletes inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.