Flint Northern
2017 Greater Flint African-American Sports Hall of Fame
Category: Track & Field
Parents: David Cox & Grace Howard
Marjona Kemp born and raised in Flint attended Flint Northern High School where she broke records and created a legacy that will forever stand strong. As a member of Flint Northern track & field team Marjona ran the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, 400 relay and 800 relay.
Marjona’s excellence helped earn her All-State honors for three years from 1987-1990, earned her a spot on the Michigan High School Outdoor Track All-Time list for 100 meter hurdles with a time of 15.1 seconds. Marjona was the State Champion for individual 300-meter hurdles with a time of 43.4, and set the state high school record for 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.43 seconds in 1990. Marjona finished her high school career winning a Class A track & field state championship in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles. In the same state championship event, she also anchored two relay races finishing in third in the 4×200 and sixth in the 4×100. Marjona Kemp graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1990.
With a legendary high school career Marjona continued her track & field career collegiately at Eastern Kentucky University. Under the tutelage of coach Rick Erdmann, Marjona ran the 100-meter hurdles, 400 meter hurdles and was the leadoff runner on the record setting 4×100 meter relay team with a time of 45.59 seconds. As a co-captain in 1993 Marjona was one of the main reasons for Eastern Kentucky University winning both indoor and outdoor Ohio Valley Conference championships. Majona graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1995.
With successful careers in High School and College Marjona returned to her alma mater Flint Northern High School to coach track & field for 15 years from 1996-2012. Marjona has trained many state qualifiers and prepped Martha Chisholm to run in a Spain invitational. Marjona is featured in the book “Bronze Pillars” by Rhonda Sanders, the book is an oral history of African Americans in Flint.
Marjona Kemp you are a true definition of being “Flint Strong”! You have made Flint proud, welcome to the Greater Flint African-American Sports Hall of Fame!
