During his time at Jewell, he has set school records for both the 60 meter hurdles and 110 meter hurdles. With a time of 13.88 seconds, he also holds the GLVC record in 110 meter hurdles. Alexander was named the GLVC Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, an indoor NCAA II All-American for the 60 meter hurdles in 2016 and NCAA II All-American in the 110 meter hurdles in 2016. He received All-American honors again March 11 at the NCAA II National Championships.

Photo by Amy Kontras

“Being an all-American has to be my biggest accomplishment,” said Alexander. “Becoming an All-American is just a sign that all the work you put in during the off season and season has finally paid off.”

Despite all these accomplishments, Alexander continues to push himself further. At the beginning of the season, Alexander laid out his goals for the year: he wanted to break his own records, claim the conference championship in the 110 meter hurdles and 400 meter hurdles and be named All-American.

“I have not met all my goals yet but here in the next couple weeks hopefully I can put together some solid races to achieve my goals,” said Alexander.

He will prepare for the rest of these races in the same manner that he has all season. Like most athletes, he maintains a consistent pre-race routine.

“Before I race I like to walk around the track surface and get a feel for it,” said Alexander. “Then I usually do my warm-up to prepare for my race and try to get some block starts in to make sure I’m prepared to race.”

When asked about his favorite memories, his accomplishments on the track were not the first thing that came to mind. Instead, he values the experiences he has shared with his teammates.

“My favorite memories about Jewell track and field would have to be the bus rides back to Jewell,” said Alexander. “They are always fun and you never know what’s going to be said or done in the back of the bus.”

The Cards will hop on the bus and head for Missouri University of Science and Technology for their next track meet April 23.

Blake Alexander, sophomore, ran a time of 8.19 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles at the University of Central Missouri Mule Relays. The time puts him in second place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings and 23rd in the nation. Photo courtesy of Kyle Rivas.

The top hurdler for the William Jewell College Track and Field team is Blake Alexander, sophomore. Alexander recently ran the 60 meter hurdles in 8.19 seconds at the University of Central Missouri Mule Relays Jan. 31. This time puts him in second place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) standings and 23rd in the nation in the 60 meter hurdles.

Alexander is from Strafford, Mo. where he attended Strafford High School. As a seventh grader, Alexander began running track, but it was not until his sophomore year of high school that he started running hurdles. By his senior year of high school he was state champion in the 110 meter high hurdles and the 300 meter intermediate hurdles. He credits his parents and past coaches with pushing him to get where he is today.

Alexander decided to come to Jewell when he heard good things about the nursing program and the opportunities it provides its students. He has been working hard in practice to break down and perfect his approach and technique over a hurdle. He has also focused on gaining muscle in the weight room and sticking to a daily routine that helps polish his skills for competitions. His goals for this season are to go to the indoor nationals for the 60 meter hurdles and to go to the outdoor nationals in the 110 meter hiigh hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles.

The top 18 runners in the nation in each track and field event are invited to compete in the NCAA DII Indoor Track and Field Nationals. Alexander’s time of 8.19 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles is good enough to make the provisional cut. SInce he is currently 23rd in the nation in this event, he will have to better his time in one of the upcoming meets in order to reach his goal.

The Jewell Track and Field teams have three meets before nationals. They will travel to the Missouri Southern State University Lion Invitational in Joplin, Mo. Feb. 6 and 7. The teams will also compete in the Missouri Collegiate Challenge hosted by Missouri University in Columbia, Mo. Feb. 20. The GLVC meet held Feb. 28 – Mar. 1 in Indianapolis, Ind. will be the last chance for Alexander to improve his time to make the national meet.