Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

5/07/2007
Story by Tyler Cundith

Former JCCC vaulter wins The Amazing Race

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- Eric Sanchez, a former Johnson County Community College All-American pole vaulter, and his partner Danielle Turner, were the first to cross the finish line and win the million dollar prize in the final episode of The Amazing Race - All-Stars on CBS.  Eric and Danielle never won a leg until the last one.  They were nearly eliminated, yielded twice and still managed to win the race.  

The couple met while racing against each other during Season 9 of The Amazing Race.  During their travels, they developed a bond which transpired into a romance and the two have been dating for the past year.   In that season, Eric and his partner, Jeremy Ryan, also a former JCCC pole vaulter, finished second overall.  Danielle, who ran the race with her best friend Dani, were the fourth team ousted.

Sanchez was a member of JCCC’s track and field team in 1997-98.  He was a two-time NJCAA All-American in the pole vault, and was a three-time All-Region VI and five-time All-East Jayhawk Conference performer.
A graduate of Shawnee Mission North High School, Sanchez currently works as a waiter and enjoys a laid-back lifestyle living on the beach in Florida.  Turner graduated from Wagner College, and currently resides in Staten Island where she works a  bartender while finishing her Master’s Degree in education.

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