Central Washington University Athletics

In the pre-Title IX era, Harriman was a notable pioneer in women’s track and field at Central. In 1970, she became the school’s first female pentathlete and the first to use the high-jump technique known as the Fosbury Flop. In addition, she competed in the hurdles and was a member of Central’s record- setting 4x110 yard relay team that set and held the Northwest College Women’s Sports Association’s record time (51.7 seconds). Competing for Central Washington State College between 1968-71, Harriman qualified for the 1970 national intercollegiate track and field meet at the University of Illinois, sponsored by the Division for Girls’ and Women’s Sports, the first nationally recognized collegiate organization for women’s athletics. She placed eighth in high jump at the championships. Harriman paid her own way to the competition, at a time when there was just one collegiate division for women’s sports. Since graduating from Central, she has coached track and field, gymnastics, and softball, and served as a high school gymnastics judge. She also founded the North Side Sports Association for girls in Spokane.