Jan. 2, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Head track and field coach Elvis Forde and the Redbird men's program will welcome sprinter Alex Forde of Saint Michaels, Barbados, to its sprints and hurdles squad for the 2008 indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
Alex Forde is a graduate of Combermere Secondary School and is a member of the Track and Field Academy in Barbados. The 400-meter hurdler and 400-meter sprinter holds personal-best times of 48.04 seconds in the 400-meter dash and 52.97 in the 400-meter hurdles.
He was a finalist at the Carifta Games in the 400-meter hurdles in April 2006. The Carifta Games is a junior national event that showcases athletes from the Caribbean nations.
In March 2006, Alex Forde ran the 40-meter high hurdles in 53.20 to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Juniors and the11th International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Junior Championship in Beijing, China. Forde was not able to compete in the IAAF World Junior Championship due to a foot injury.
Elvis Forde feels that Alex's national recognition and past performances will make for an easy transition.
"We are hoping that the addition of Alex to the hurdlers will push Carl (Azab), so we can raise the bar and take the hurdles to the next level," said Forde. "I can see Alex as one of the top hurdlers in the (Missouri Valley) conference.
"He brings a lot of talent and I think that one thing that will help him this year is the frequent competition throughout the season (that he will take part in once he joins the Illinois State squad)," said Forde. "In Barbados, athletes do not compete very often, so the additional competition over the course of the year will help him tremendously and make him a better competitor."
Head coach Elvis Forde is also a Barbados native, but is not related to Alex Forde.
