Upcoming Event: Cross Country at Aggie Duels (Men) on September 5, 2025 at 8:15 a.m. CT
8:15 a.m. CT
Cross Country
at Aggie Duels (Men)
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Cross Country
Sanchez, Juanita
Juanita Sanchez
- Title:
- Director of Operations
- Email:
- juanita@ou.edu
University of Oklahoma head track and field/cross country coach James Thomas announced the addition of Juanita Sanchez as Director of Operations January 2024.
Sanchez joins the OU staff after a year-long stint at the University of Illinois as the director of operations for track and field/cross country. The Fighting Illini’s season was highlighted by a standout performance from junior Olivia Howell who took the 2023 Indoor NCAA Championships mile title and the Big 10 indoor and outdoor mile championship. Howell was named the USTFCCA Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year and Big 10 Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. During outdoor season, Illinois qualified 22 for NCAA West Prelims and five for NCAA Championships.
Prior to Illinois, Sanchez spent one season at Iowa State, serving as the director of operations for track and field/cross country. She oversaw all four home meets for ISU, including the 2022 Big 12 Indoor Championships. In addition to her meet organization duties, she was responsible for all budgeting and external and internal logistics for the 2021-22 school year.
Sanchez worked under Thomas at Texas Tech from 2019-21 as a volunteer coach/operations personnel. In this role, she organized all home meets for the 2020 and 2021 indoor seasons, including the 2021 Big 12 Indoor Championship.
During the 2018-19 season, Sanchez served as the assistant coach for sprints and jumps at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In this role, she managed travel arrangements, fundraising initiatives and led recruitment efforts alongside her coaching responsibilities. Four athletes earned All-Conference honors and achieved top-three placements at the 2019 MEC Outdoor Championships.
Sanchez launched her professional career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi College, where she obtained her master's degree in athletic administration. She also holds a bachelor's degree in sports administration from Belhaven University.
Sanchez joins the OU staff after a year-long stint at the University of Illinois as the director of operations for track and field/cross country. The Fighting Illini’s season was highlighted by a standout performance from junior Olivia Howell who took the 2023 Indoor NCAA Championships mile title and the Big 10 indoor and outdoor mile championship. Howell was named the USTFCCA Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year and Big 10 Indoor Track Athlete of the Year. During outdoor season, Illinois qualified 22 for NCAA West Prelims and five for NCAA Championships.
Prior to Illinois, Sanchez spent one season at Iowa State, serving as the director of operations for track and field/cross country. She oversaw all four home meets for ISU, including the 2022 Big 12 Indoor Championships. In addition to her meet organization duties, she was responsible for all budgeting and external and internal logistics for the 2021-22 school year.
Sanchez worked under Thomas at Texas Tech from 2019-21 as a volunteer coach/operations personnel. In this role, she organized all home meets for the 2020 and 2021 indoor seasons, including the 2021 Big 12 Indoor Championship.
During the 2018-19 season, Sanchez served as the assistant coach for sprints and jumps at West Virginia Wesleyan College. In this role, she managed travel arrangements, fundraising initiatives and led recruitment efforts alongside her coaching responsibilities. Four athletes earned All-Conference honors and achieved top-three placements at the 2019 MEC Outdoor Championships.
Sanchez launched her professional career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi College, where she obtained her master's degree in athletic administration. She also holds a bachelor's degree in sports administration from Belhaven University.
Highlights: OU Women's Cross Country at Big 12 Championships
Friday, October 28
Highlights: OU Men's Cross Country at Big 12 Championships
Friday, October 28
Faith and Running
Monday, November 30
The Year That Was - Cross Country
Monday, March 23
