2008 Woodie Awards
Sanderson becomes two-time All-American
Erik Johnson
Issue date: 3/30/07 Section: News
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After making it through his preliminary heat of the mile at NCAA Division II Nationals, Sanderson had his sights set high. In the finals, Sanderson clocked a 4 minute, 11.10 second mile to earn eighth overall and garner his second All-American honor. Sanderson achieved All-American status for the first time two years ago when he finished fourth in the indoor mile.
Most would be ecstatic to earn one All-American award in their athletic career, let alone two, but Sanderson was not thrilled with his performance.
"Well, I can't say that I'm disappointed with my performance, but I was honestly expecting to finish in the top three in the finals," said Sanderson. "I finished fourth two years ago and figured I could at least match, if not better, that mark."
Many in Sanderson's position would take the awards and jog across the finish line of their collegiate career with awards in hand.
Some would think about all the hard work and excruciating pain they have pushed through and assume they have done all they can do to be their best. After his mile at nationals, Sanderson is not taking either of those routes. Instead, his performance at nationals has motivated him for his last season of collegiate competition.
"Compared to what I'd been feeling like the previous three weeks, I would really consider it a subpar performance," said Sanderson. "I can't really explain why, but I felt a bit sluggish in the week prior to nationals. However, I can't complain about making All-American and can only hope to redeem myself in outdoor track."
Sanderson will attempt to redeem himself this weekend at the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Cal. National track powerhouses Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado and Oregon will be competing.
For the first time this track season, Sanderson will run the 5,000 meters.
"It's very thrilling, really," said Sanderson. "I'm just honored to have a chance to compete with such high caliber athletes in such an amazing environment. According to Coach DeLong, it's almost impossible to run a bad race at Stanford. So I would expect nothing less than to run a solid race and let my time take care of itself."
With his final collegiate season about to start and running awards filling his closets, what could Sanderson really want out of this track season?
"Only to be as competitive as I have ever been in my college career," said Sanderson.
With the talent and desire Sanderson is showing, Division II runners across the country might want to turn a watchful eye towards Bolivar this spring.
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