Sequoia High Student Escapes Alcatraz

Most San Francisco tourists leisurely take a ferry back to shore from the famed Alcatraz prison. Not 16-year-old student Sherry Sanders.

Just a few days after finishing her sophomore year at Sequoia High School, Sanders woke up at 3:30 a.m. Sunday to swim from Alcatraz in one of the world’s most famous triathlons: Escape from Alcatraz.

“My friends think I’m crazy to wake up that early,” Sanders said. “But I love the race and I have such a great time doing it.”

The entire race is built around the unpredictable terrain and breathtaking landmarks of one of America’s most distinct cities. Thousands of racers from all 50 states and 40 countries travel to San Francisco to take part in this challenging course.

At 16 years old, Sanders was one of the youngest participants to swim the 1.5 miles in frigid waters from Alcatraz back to San Francisco; bike the hilly 18 miles from Chrissy Field to Golden Gate Park; then finish with an 8-mile run that included a 400-step staircase in the sand. She did all of it in three hours and 45 minutes.

While just thinking of that much physical exertion might exhaust some people, Sanders said she enjoys each leg of the race.

“I love being around people,” she said. “You can run and bike with people from all over the world.”

Her mother, Carol, said it was amusing because competitors twice her daughter’s age were asking Sherry for advice on the swim portion. This was Sherry’s fifth swim and second triathlon.

Sherry said she takes it one mile at a time, reminding herself that she does indeed enjoy the strenuous physical demand.

“This was such an amazing accomplishment for Sherry,” Carol Sanders said. “All these professional triathletes were acknowledging how wonderful it was that the youth were participating in the race.”

This race is just one of the many physical activities that Sanders participates in. During the year, Sanders is a full-time student and also participates in many of Sequoia’s sports teams.

Sanders has been on the cross country team for the past two years and swam this past year.

“These sports in particular are great because anyone can join,” she said of the teams' inclusiveness. “It’s great that the coaches give just as much attention to the fastest athletes as some of the slower ones.”

The athlete also participated in a crew club team up until late May, leaving her little more than a month to train for the triathlon. These practices consumed two and a half hours, Monday through Saturday.

Carol said that after school, Sherry would ride her bike to the to swim, then ride her bike home up the steep roads of Emerald Hills.

“She’s definitely goal-oriented,” Carol said, adding that Sherry would attend crew practice even on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. “Once she sets her mind to something, she does it.”

Sanders said she has set her mind to do the triathlon again next year.

“When you’re taking the boat to Alcatraz, it’s amazing to see all these diverse people come together,” Sanders said. “Yet you know that this one goal brings us all to the same place.”