photo: Oh Snap Indy
Reese Sanders, a senior at Cathedral High School in Indianpolis, has lofty goals for the last few months of her high school career but her recent performances indicate those goals are within reach. At last year’s Indiana State High School championships she won the 300m hurdles and finished third in the 100m hurdles. Her career best time of 42.94 in the 300m hurdles ranks her #13 on the all-time Indiana list. The state record is 41.36 and Sanders has that mark as one of her goals before she wraps up her high school career and moves on to Notre Dame University. She would also like to break 14 seconds in the 100m hurdles; a mark that would land her in the top-10 on the all-time list. Her current career best is 14.54. But her performances are not limited to just the hurdles as she has found success in an array of events, from 100m to 800m as well as the high jump, long jump and shot put. Naturally this versatility has led her to the combined events and last month she finished second in the Pentathlon at the Nike Indoor Nationals in New York, scoring 3348 points (#60 U.S. all-time). But beyond athletic performances our GETTING TO KNOW…… interview with Sanders revieled a young women who has a wonderful perspective on life and is grounded and directed by her family and faith. In the interview below you will learn more about Sanders, both on and off the track; such as her favorite athletes, her role models, who she would like to have lunch and dinner with, and why she choose Notre Dame. So let's get to know Reese Sanders........
I began track and field when I was in fourth grade. I ran for my school, Saint Pius X. My mom got me into hurdling in about sixth grade. She was also a hurdler in high school. Four out of five of my siblings have been in the sport of Track & Field.
1. Winning the 2021 Indiana State Championship with the most talented and hardworking group of girls and coaches. 2. Breaking Cathedral's School record and winning state in the 300m hurdles. 3. Competing nationally at Indoor New Balance Nationals in the Pentathlon.
My favorite subject is English. I love to write and study different types of literature.
I used to be a high level tumbler and did cheerleading for three years while in high school. I also used to love playing basketball.
I love to lift weights. My favorite lifting movement is the power clean. My max is 185 pounds for 1. I am able to learn and work on powerful, explosive movements in my Advanced Physical Education class at Cathedral. At track practice, my favorite workout days are the days I get to practice hurdling.
My favorite food is Sushi.
My favorite restaurant is Bento Cafe.
I enjoy listening to Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes.
My favorite TV shows are 90210, Impractical Jokers, Dawson’s Creek, and Selling Sunset. I don’t watch TV too often, but when I do, these are my top picks. I watch more movies than TV shows, and my favorite movies are the Twilight movies.
My go-to social media platform is Instagram (@reese.e.sanders). I enjoy using Twitter (@reese_saa) for sports, Instagram to stay updated with the world, and Snapchat to talk with close friends.
Jesus
Shawn Mendes
My parents, Tracy and Brian Sanders, are my role models.
Chari Hawkins
Some of my goals for the remainder of my high school career are to break the Indiana All-Time record in the 300m hurdles and to run under 14 seconds in the 100m hurdles.
I chose Notre Dame because it felt like the best fit for me. I love that it is a Catholic university and a smaller sized school. I love the traditions of Notre Dame and it reminds me a lot of my high school. I knew that attending Notre Dame would challenge me academically, spiritually, and athletically. I also wanted teammates that were going to be awesome training partners, and I certainly can find all of that at Notre Dame.
I officially visited and also considered Colorado, Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia.
I want to study psychology in hopes of become a clinical psychologist. I also would like to explore a major in Film/Television.
In 5 years, I hope to be starting my professional track career. Hopefully, I will move and train somewhere warm. In 10 years, I hope I am still able to compete in track and field. But if not, I’ll want to start my career in coaching, psychology, or filmmaking.