Natasha Hastings: The 400 m Diva Turns 35

Jul 23, 2021 02:00PM ● By Kassidy Garland

Natasha Monique Hastings was born on July 23, 1986, in Brooklyn, New York. After starting her running career at a very young age, Hastings started to run more competitively in high school. After a successful high school career, Hastings went to train under Curtis Frye at the University of South Carolina, where she studied exercise science.

While at USC, Hastings won the 400 meters (indoor and outdoor) at the NCAA Championships, and finished her junior year undefeated in every competition. She made the decision to go pro in 2007, and in 2008, at the young age of 22, Natasha Hastings made the USA Olympic Track and Field Team.

Since 2007, Natasha Hastings has qualified for every USA World Championship, and won a Gold medal in 2007, 2009, and 2011 as a member of the 4x400 meter relay team. She has also won a number of medals at indoor competitions.

While Natasha, unfortunately, did not make the 2012 Olympic team, she won her first U.lS. National Championship in the 400 meters in 2013. Shortly after, she won Gold as part of the 4x400 team at the 2013 World Championship.

(Photo Credit: The Natasha Hastings Foundation, Facebook )

In 2015 Hastings also qualified for the US Track and Field Team at the World Championships and finished 5th overall. One year later, she would qualify, yet again, for the Olympics, this time in Rio. She ended up finishing fourth. In 2016, however, she reached her personal best of 16.67 in a 150 m straight track race in the Great North City Games. In Rome, she won the 400 m at the Golden Gala in 2017, and her season- best (50.52 seconds in the 400 m) at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

During her career, she has become known as “The 400 m Diva” after her collegiate team was nicknamed the Gamecock Divas in honor of their mascot. As she approaches retirement, Natasha has picked up vlogging. You can find her on her YouTube channel talking about her experiences as a runner.

Sources:

Natasha Hastings

Team USA

World Athletics

Kassidy Garland has had a great appreciation for reading and writing since she was young. She graduated from West Chester University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English & Women and Gender Studies. With a concentration in creative writing, Kassidy has 5 years of experience writing blogs, articles, and for social media. Kassidy is also pursuing a Master’s degree in IT with a concentration in Web Development. Based out of Philadelphia, Kassidy loves to write about a number of topics and looks forward to sharing her passion with those at FunTimes Magazine.