14 Facts About Raven Saunders

Raven Saunders was born on May 15,1996, in Charleston, South Carolina, to Clarissa Saunders.

Raven Saunders is a 2014 graduate of Burke High School in Charleston, South Carolina, where they competed in track and field.

Raven Saunders went on to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, before transferring to the University of Mississippi in University, Mississippi, to compete for the Ole Miss Rebels track team.

Raven Saunders started throwing shot put and discus as a ninth grader at Burke High School.

Raven Saunders placed first at the 2014 US Junior Championships, and made their international debut at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics in Eugene, Oregon and took the silver medal behind Guo Tianqian of China.

Raven Saunders raised funds through the internet in order to attend the meeting, which was nearly 3,000 miles away from their hometown in South Carolina.

Raven Saunders started their NCAA career at Southern Illinois University, where they won shot put titles at the 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships, 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Raven Saunders was the first American junior athlete to throw beyond 18 meters.

Raven Saunders returned to competition in early 2020, taking part in only two meets before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the rest of the season.

In October 2021, Raven Saunders had another surgery on their hip.

The suspension meant that Raven Saunders would have to miss the 2023 World Championships, but would be eligible to compete at the 2024 Olympics.

The statement further acknowledged that Raven Saunders had been under added pressure following their hip surgery in 2021 and new family responsibilities after the death of their mother, in addition to the demands of being an elite athlete, but that they were committed to their career and to using their platform to raise awareness about mental health issues.

Raven Saunders identifies as non-binary and queer, having come out to their mother as queer in the third grade.

Raven Saunders has been outspoken about their struggles with depression and suicidal ideation.