02/01/12

Story by Tyler Cundith

M. Track – Sanders signs with Alabama

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Johnson County Community College sophomore sprinter Alex Sanders grew up dreaming of one day competing in track in the Southeastern Conference.  Today that dream became a reality as Sanders celebrated National Signing Day by inking with the University of Alabama. He will compete for head coach Dan Waters and sprints coach Matt Kane.

“I think they will have expectations of him scoring high at conference and qualify and score at the NCAAs, and I believe he has that ability,” JCCC head coach Mike Bloemker said. “If he remains healthy, he could go on to be professional sprinter.”

Sanders, formerly of Raytown South High School, decided in the final days leading up to National Signing Day that he would run for Alabama over Arkansas, another school seeking Sanders’ services.

“It feels good to have it over,” Sanders said at his signing. “I really stressed about it for a couple of weeks.  It’s been a dream of mine to be able to compete in the top track conference in the country, and I am happy to be a part of that.”

Sanders is off to a strong start to his sophomore season, recently racing to a runner-up finish at the Iowa State Open in the 60-meter dash. His time of 6.74 matched the same effort he had in Ames last year when he won the race. That time ranks as the fourth fastest in team history. He also ran the third leg on JCCC’s 4x400 relay that finished third at Iowa State and recorded the third fastest time in team history (3:16.40). 

As a freshman at JCCC, Sanders earned NJCAA Coaches All-American indoors after placing third in the nation in the 55-meters. He also was the Kansas Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division champion in the 60-meters.  Outdoors, Sanders was a national qualifier in the 100-meters and earned Coaches All-American as a member of the Cavaliers 4x100 relay that place sixth at outdoor nationals. He also finished runner-up in the conference and third in the region in 100-meters.

“JCCC has been great and really helped me get back healthy,” Sanders said. “I had hamstring problems in high school, and the coaches (at JCCC) helped get back on the my feet. Coach (Mike) Bloemker, (Steve) Javorek, (Ryan) Stanley and (Tom) Lester were key to getting me to this point. I really appreciate what they have done for me.”

Sanders aspirations in track do not end now that he has signed with Alabama. He looks forward to the opportunity ahead him, and any others that may come along his way.

“I plan to take this as far as I can,” Sanders said. “If that means the Olympics or competing professionally, I would like to have that happen.”

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