Kirani James a Crimson Tide

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Kirani James Enrolls at University of Alabama

By O’Neil A. Reid

(January 7, 2010): Kirani James is now a Crimson Tide. The 17-year-old Grenadian and reigning World Youth 200m (21.05 secs) and 400m (45.24 secs) champion, has enrolled into the University of Alabama and will be competing in this Indoor track season.

James became the first youth athlete to complete a 200m/400m double gold at the 2009 IAAF World Youth Championships. Competing at the CARIFTA Games for the third time in 2009 and for the first time in the Under-20 division, James ran a scorching 45.45 to erase Usain Bolt’s six-year-old championship record of 46.35.

At the University of Alabama, James will be coached by Harvey Glance, who was the head coach of the USA’s 2009 Berlin World Championships team and the sprint coach of the USA’s 2008 Beijing Olympic men’s track team.

Glance told Caribbean TrackLife that “Kirani visited three schools: South Carolina University, Florida State University and the University of Alabama. Our coaching staff met with Kirani and his family and they have decided that this [University of Alabama] was the best place for him to get him to the next level.”

Glance also said, “Kirani has been training and will participate indoors but we are going to bring him along slowly. We plan on having him run the relays at first just to get him used to the indoor.”

Harvey Glance is a former world-class sprinter. A 16-time All-American and three-time Olympian, the 1976 gold medal winner is entering his 13th season as the head coach of the University of Alabama men’s track team.

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I must say I’m surprised on his choice in school. If his goal is to get to the next level then I would’ve take a stronger look at UofF and then FSU. Coach Mike C has produced has a great body of work and FSU has a very capable coach and the Borlee twins. Things are going to be very interesting this year. :cool:

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Randy, can you expand on the FSU situation? I was under the impression that the Borlee twins were still trained by their father last year, who also organized a large portion of their meet schedule outside of the conference, regional, and national meets. I know Dix was in a similar boat for much of his last two years.

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My understanding is that father didn’t want them to run a very extensive collegiate season as he wanted them to be able to run during the summer. Regarding; training I believe that the dad did/does have an influence but the extent of the training is designed by the FSU staff.