Seku Sanders has quickly emerged as one of Seattle University’s top middle-distance runners in just his sophomore season. He has repeatedly lowered the school record in the 800m, most recently clocking a personal best of 1:48.75. His steady improvement has made him a consistent presence at the top of the program’s all-time lists, while also contributing to some of the fastest 4x400m relay performances in school history.
Alongside his success on the track, Sanders has also competed in cross country, recording a collegiate 8K best of 25:26.1 at the Charles Bowles Invitational and gaining NCAA West Regionals experience in the 10K during his freshman year.
A kinesiology major originally hailing from Japan, Sanders continues to develop early in his collegiate career as one of the key athletes shaping the future of Seattle U’s middle-distance program.
The following is an excerpt from a May 7 interview. Initials indicate the speaker.
MD: How did your running journey start?
SS: My dad says it started because I used to run to daycare. I have three siblings and my mom would bike us to daycare in Japan, with my brother in the back basket and the newborn in the front, so I had to run alongside them. So I ran a lot. I started competing in first and second grade, but then took a big break. I finally picked it up in high school after COVID. I initially joined cross country just to get in shape for soccer, but after a rough soccer season, I decided to commit to running full-time.
MD: When did you realize running could be something serious for you?
SS: I think it was my junior year when I decided to take it really seriously. Sophomore year, I was just going through the motions, but then I made it to state in a relay, which was cool. But once I started finding some success in the middle of my junior year, I was in the full swing of things. I made it my mission to compete at the collegiate level.
MD: You are about to wrap up your second year at Seattle U. What has your experience been like so far?
SS: It has been a lot of fun. I definitely wouldn’t trade it, and I think coming here was the right choice. I have grown a whole lot in my first two years, which is kind of surprising, but I have met a lot of great people and it has been a wonderful experience overall.
MD: How have your coaches and teammates helped you develop?
SS: Our coaches do not put a limit on what we can do, so we focus on seeing how far we can take things. I think that is a good thing because people often limit themselves by focusing too much on hitting a specific mark. We have a lot to learn about ourselves and each other, so we work together to see what is possible instead of just chasing a single goal.
MD: You have broken the school 800m record three times now. What is going through your mind each time you improve it?
SS: The first time I broke the record was during the indoor season last year. I had two teammates going for the same goal, so I wanted to get to it first. Later that year, I broke it again, but my teammate broke it right after me, just five minutes later. This year, I finally broke through a huge barrier and got under 1:50 after being stuck for a while. That felt amazing because it takes you to the next level. I was floating on cloud nine for a whole week.
MD: You’re already part of multiple top relay teams in school history. What is it like competing in relay events versus individual races?
SS: Relays are interesting because they feel a bit more relaxed and fun. Since they are at the end of the meet, it’s like one last hurrah for everybody, so the pressure is not as high. Obviously, you want to do well for your teammates, but it is a much more fun dynamic. When you compete individually, you are competing for yourself. It is a completely different vibe.
MD: Outside of running, what are some activities you like to do?
SS: I play a lot of video games. When I am not fully in season, I play a whole lot of Call of Duty to take my mind off of things. Sometimes it adds more stress, but it is a completely different kind of stress. During the summers when I am not on campus, I also like going on bike rides. Anywhere with water is great, so places like Lake Washington are perfect.
MD: What goals do you have for the rest of your time at Seattle U? Are there any certain times or records you’re chasing next?
SS: I barely missed out on regionals this year, so making it there is definitely one of my goals. The records will come as long as I keep getting faster, so I am not too worried about that. I just want to see how much I can get out of myself during the rest of my time here.
