Women of Wonder – 50 Years of Title IX: Pueblo’s Freda Hancock dominated 70s Colorado sprinting
Freda Hancock knew from an early age she was fast. As a fifth-grader, she could chase down nearly everyone in school, even most of the boys.
"I could beat everybody in the school except for my brother Edward and another young man named Gayle Buffington," laughed Hancock.
"In high school, they called me 'Rabbit.' Because they said I was always running like a rabbit," she said.
And it was around that time when the Centennial grad started to understand her potential.
Her freshman year, in her only race, she edged out South’s Jackie White in the 50-yard dash – beating a senior who was a national record holder.
By the time she was a sophomore, able to compete in more meets, and still at the dawn of the Title IX decision, Hancock truly took the Colorado sprinting world by storm.
In 1975 she broke the 100-yard state record, qualifying for the AAU Jr. Olympic Championships.
In 1976 she broke the 220-yard state record while also qualifying for the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, finishing 5th in the 200 meters
And in 1977 she was part of a record-breaking 800 sprint medley team that also set a new record.
Her fondest memory was from her 800 sprint medley relay at the State track meet her senior year. She was the anchor. And they were down big on the final lap.
"When they brought the baton, I think we were in 6th or 7th place and I took off running and I made that first turn and the girl in the first place was close to the 200 mark and I caught her at the 200 mark and we got first in that relay," said Hancock.
Hancock won four first-place medals at State her senior year. She went on to become an All-American at Kansas State before finishing at CSU-Pueblo as an NAIA All-American.
She says her mother is responsible for her chasing down her dreams.
"I got it from my mom. She was very, very supportive of my running," said Hancock. "We all competed in the family. My mom's number one rule was, we all run that 400."
She’s also grateful for Title IX and the countless opportunities it has created for other women.
"It has come a long way because girls are able, if they are physically able, they can participate with boys in football. They can do wrestling in middle school," said Hancock.
"I think what's grown more is the ability to go to different universities. Because back then you had colleges and universities that didn't have scholarships for female athletes. They went to the male athletes," she said.
And, using her mom's golden rule of the 400-meter run mandate, Hancock's daughter, Ronaleen picked up where her family left off.
Hancock's sister, Kathleen, dominated the race in the 80s and after Coach Rick Macias (Central High School) talked Ronaleen into running it, she also won the 400 at State her senior year in 2000, saying "I think grandma pushed me over the finish line."
"Females are more apt to get out there now. They're going out there and showing their abilities. They're showing that they can compete at a man's level if not higher."
Hancock is now the Ronacli Middle School assistant girls track coach and art teacher.
This summer is the 50th anniversary of Title IX. The law prohibited sex-based discrimination in schools, guaranteeing a level playing field for female athletics for the first time in our nation’s history.
To celebrate the anniversary, KRDO’s Josh Helmuth is showcasing nine of the most remarkable female athletes to come out of southern Colorado.
