The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Track and Field Signs Alexis Bates
2/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Feb. 19, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- UAB interim head coach Kurt Thomas recently announced the addition of sprinter Alexis Bates to the Blazer track and field team for the 2011 season.
"We are extremely excited about signing Alexis," Thomas said. "Not only is she a very talented sprinter already, but her potential is still untapped. To sign athletes from distant states just points to where our program is and where it is headed."
Bates attends Central St. Joseph High School in St. Joseph, Mo. and is coached by Charles Taylor. As a freshman, Bates was the 2007 Missouri Class 4 state champion in the 100-meter dash. That same year, she was awarded the St. Joe News Press Female Athlete of the Year award.
Following an impressive freshman year, Bates placed first in the 2008 UCM Mule Relays with a personal-best time of 7.16 in the 55-meter dash. Last year as a junior, she finished third in the 2009 Missouri State Track Championships, clocking a personal-best 11.77 in the 100-meter dash.
"Alexis is going to be able to step in and help out our team right away," Thomas said. "She fits in very well with our team, and her character fits in well with what we are doing at UAB. I look forward to watching her have fun her senior year and getting her here in August. We couldn't be more happy with adding her to our UAB family."
In addition to running track, Bates is a varsity letterwinner in basketball and volleyball.
