WINFIELD, Kan. — For Southwestern College cross country runner Jamell Sanchez, the sport that began with a simple kindergarten flyer has grown into a lifelong passion built on persistence, growth and family support.
Sanchez remembers that first meet vividly.
"I got a flyer in kindergarten and went for the first time and placed in the top ten," he said.
That early success sparked something in him, leading to steady progression through the years. By his senior season at V. Sue Cleveland High School, he earned a spot on the varsity team — a milestone that motivated him to continue running at the collegiate level.
"I was progressing rapidly and made my high school's varsity team my senior year," Sanchez said. "I then committed here to Southwestern."
The transition to college competition wasn't easy. Sanchez said he struggled early on and wasn't close to the front of the pack.
"I was running 32-minute 8Ks," he said. "I overcame that challenge by putting in the work and locking in."
He said he learned to find joy in the grind, realizing that his mindset was just as important as his mileage.
"I made myself have fun with running because I took it too seriously and was miserable," Sanchez said. "I started lifting weights a lot more, and it started to pay off, and now I'm running 29-minute 8Ks."
That work paid off in one of his most memorable collegiate moments.
"My favorite moment was when I finally broke 30 minutes in the 8K on my home course at the Cowley Tiger Preview cross country meet," he said.
The achievement symbolized years of dedication and the fulfillment of a goal that once felt out of reach.
Behind Sanchez's success stands his mother, who has been his biggest supporter from day one.
"She's been my day one since I started competing," he said. "She never missed a meet until college. I can always tell where she is on the course, cheering me on. My mom has always and will be my No. 1 fan."
At Southwestern, Sanchez also found mentors who helped shape both his running and his outlook on the sport. He credits coaches Nathan Jones and Shane Brookshire with pushing him to reach his potential.
"They helped me break that goal of running a 29-minute 8K," he said. "They helped me have fun with running and inspired me to be a coach."
Looking ahead, Sanchez hopes to turn his love of running into a career.
"My goal is to be a cross-country and track coach," he said. "I would also love to be an athletic director. I'd love to coach our team here at Southwestern, but I would love to coach at my alma mater, V. Sue Cleveland High School."
From that first flyer to college competition, Sanchez's story is one of steady determination — a reminder that progress, passion, and the right mindset can carry an athlete far beyond the finish line.
