GIRLS WINNER: Shayla Sanders - Junior @ Boyd Anderson
Shayla Sander’s nickname is “lil hemi”. The Boyd Anderson junior has a powerful motor and has topped out at speeds of 11.45 in the 100 and sub 24 in the 200 this season. Her coach Damion Thomas says they call her that because of the way she pumps her arms when she runs.
“She looks like a bullet out of the blocks and she looks so fearless. She accelerates so quickly.”
That quick start and drive phase guided her to a second place finish in both the 100, and 200 at this year’s state meet and an impressive anchor leg in her team’s gold medal 4x100 relay.
“I know she really wanted to win the 100 at states so that was probably a low for her. Being consistent running 11.4 and mid 23’s in the 200 is a high for her as well as winning the 4x1. That is one of her favorite races. She is also really happy to be invited to the Adidas Dream 100. She’s really looking forward to that.”
Sanders will have the opportunity to avenge her loss at the state meet to Osceola senior Tynia Gaither. The two along with Octavious Freeman, who is ranked number one in the nation in the 100, will all compete in the prestigious event in New York City.
“I think the competition is going to allow her to drop her times. She’s a very competitive person and she hates to lose. To get the opportunity to race against Octavious Freeman who is a once in a blue moon type of talent it will push her. With Tynia it always brings the best out of her and it’s always a very close race. The other girls that will be there our ones she’d never be able to race so it really gives her a chance to see where she stacks up nationally and more experience under her belt.”
Thomas says the key to victory for Sanders is with her start. He believes if she can hold her top end speed for the first 60 meters and stay true to her form then it is hers for the taking. It’s a stage she has worked towards since her eighth grade year.
“I think it’s a very big honor for her. From the first time I saw her run when she was in eighth grade I knew she had the potential as long as she worked hard and ever since she’s been at Boyd Anderson she’s done everything we’ve asked her to do not just on the track but off the track as well. It’s good to see her develop into a national caliber athlete and she’s definitely earned the right to be invited to a prestigious event. It feels good to know that we have an athlete at this school running on that stage.”
Sanders is known to be a jokester from time to time, but is all business when race time comes around and when it comes to academics. According to her coach, the junior holds a 3.2 grade point average and has scored a 20 on the ACT. He says she is a role model for her teammates and a joy to coach.
“It’s very good to have people like Shayla who are at the elite level and her fellow classmates look up to her. It’s important for her not to just excel on the track but in the classroom as well and be a good role model and not a troublesome kid because once you reach that level you’ll have those little kids that will look up to her as a role model. That is the good thing about being a well rounded athlete and a good person on and off the track.”
Thomas has high hopes for his start sprinter in her senior season. He sees her running between 11.25 and 11.3 for the 100 meters. He says her life revolves around track.
“Aside from education nothing comes before track. She’ll drop everything for track.”
Personal Bests
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100 Meter Dash 11.45
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200 Meter Dash 23.68
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55 Meter Dash 6.95
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Long Jump 18-6
