By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

SAND ROCK – Sand Rock senior Christy Alred made a little history on Friday afternoon.

By signing her scholarship with Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville, Alred became the first female cross country athlete to sign to run in college.

Alred has been a part of Sand Rock’s cross country program for the past five years. She has a personal record time is 22:09.

Last fall, she helped lead the Lady Wildcats to a section championship and their first ever Class 1A-2A state runner-up map last November in Oakville.

In the state meet, Alred finished 31st with a time of 22:09.86.

“My running journey at Sand Rock has blessed me with both mentors and a family of runners. I am thankful for every moment,” Alred said. “I look forward to running at a college level to challenge myself and expand my running family.”

Sand Rock cross country coach Mark Yoder is proud Alred will have the opportunity to continuing running with the Mustangs.

“She is such an incredible athlete and team leader. She’s so well-deserving of being able to continue her work as a runner at the next level,” Yoder said. “Her work ethic, determination, and genuine kind spirit will be such an asset to her new team at Northeast.”

Although Alred is the first Sand Rock female cross country athlete to sign to run in college, she’s not the first Wildcat runner to sign with the Mustangs.

Mark Yoder’s son, Austin Yoder, signed a scholarship with NACC back in January of 2023. He ran in the inaugural season of the Mustangs’ cross country program, coached by Patrick Laney, last fall.