Bio

Emebet Shiferaw Gulilat is considered one of the finest female distance runners in the College’s history. Born in Ethiopia, Gulilat concluded her two-year RCC career with seven individual state titles. She was part of two state championship teams, and still holds three college records.

Considered a fierce competitor, Gulilat won the 1993 California Community Colleges Athletic Association’s cross country championship and followed it up in the spring with state titles in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters. And to prove it was no fluke, she followed up her stellar freshman year with victories in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the state track and field meet after finishing second at the 1994 cross country championship meet her sophomore year. 

Some 22 years later, she continues to hold track and field records in the 1,500 meters (4 minutes, 31.66 seconds, freshman year); 3,000 meters (9:41.94 in 1994) and the 5,000 meters (16:45.74 in 1994). Her dominance in the distance events propelled the Tigers to consecutive state titles in 1993 and 1994. 

After graduating, Gulilat transferred to USC. Her track success followed her. During her junior and senior years she was a top five finisher at the NCAA national meet in the 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters. Today, she lives in Los Angeles and works as an occupational center financial manager for the Los Angeles Unified School District.