Hopkinsville High School Principal John Gunn today named Pablo Sanchez as Hopkinsville new assistant athletic director to oversee and guide the cross country, track & field programs.

Pablo Sanchez brings more than 16 years of experience in coaching cross country, and track & field at the collegiate level (10 years at the Division I level) and 7 years of High School Cross Country and Track and Field, most recently at Shaw High School in Columbus, GA where he lead the boys team to 3rd place in the State AAAA in 2008 and to 4 Top 10 finishes in Track and 5th in state in 2010 and 4 Top 10 finishes in Cross Country. Prior to Shaw High School, Coach Sanchez was at the University of Nevada - Las Vegas, where he led a program to finish in the top 30 from 2004 through 2007. Pablo Sanchez’ college coaching experience is eminence, having coached Cross Country and Track and Field at The University of Nevada Las Vegas, Murray State University, Nicholls State University, Converse College, Brevard College, and The University of Southern Mississippi (graduate assistant coach). He ran in college for Columbus State University (1986-1988) and University of Georgia (1988-1991).

“Pablo has tremendous leadership and coaching experience in major college programs, and he is a terrific fit for Hopkinsville Athletics as we work to ensure our student-athletes succeed on the track and in the classroom,” Gunn said. “Those who know him describe him as a man of character who cares deeply about education and the student-athletes he serves. For all these reasons, we are thrilled to have him in this position at Hopkinsville High School.”

Coach Sanchez have coached 4 Olympians, 10 All-Americans, 28 conference champions, 50 all-conference performers, and 28 national qualifiers in track & field; 55 all-conference runners and 63 all-conference second team members in cross country.  While at Murray State, he recruited and coached Wesley Korir from Kenya – winner of the 2009 & 2010 Los Angeles marathons, the 2013 Boston marathon, and member of the 2016 Kenyan Olympic team.  Michelle Suzek (2009 Miami ING Marathon winner), and Joyce Chepchumba – three-time London Marathon (97-99) winner – of Kenya. Coach Sanchez is a member of USA Track and Field Association, and he possess USATF Level I, Level II and USATF Level III Coaches’ Certification (Endurance and Jumps), NSCA Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification.  He ran professionally from 1992-1999, and qualified for the 1992 U.S. Olympic trials in the 10,000 meters.

Additionally, Pablo served as host coach to the Kenyan Olympic team for 8 weeks prior to the 1996 Olympics at the University of Southern Mississippi.  Created national media exposure with pre-Olympic training program.  Attended the Olympic games with the team.  Also, he has experience as a Camp Director for Brevard Distance Runners’ Camp, the largest running camp in North America (1992-2002). He coordinated running schedules, conducted video running analysis, and lectured on diet, training, biomechanics, and psychology of running.

And has tremendous experience in meet management, as Meet Director/ Fully Automatic Timing operator for Muscogee County School District  2006-2010 Cross Country and Track & Field meets (2 meets a week for 6 weeks for the fall and spring), the 2006 Outdoor Track and Field Championship for the Mountain West Conference, 2003 Cross Country Championship for the Ohio Valley Conference, 2001 Outdoor Track and Field Championship for the Ohio Valley Conference and  1997 Outdoor Track and Field Championship for Conference USA in Hattiesburg, MS. Worked as head official for 1997 SEC Cross Country Championships in Columbia, SC.

And as a Trainer for Hy-Tek/Finish Lynx, Experience as Technical Advisor and Trainer for Finish Lynx, and Ipico Timing systems. Experience as Technical Advisor and Trainer for Finish Lynx systems and Hy-Tek programs (meet manager and team manager) for Muscogee County School District (2011-Present).

 “My family and I are thrilled to be asked to join Dr. Gunn’s and Coach Leach’s leadership team at Hopkinsville High School,” Sanchez said. “It was clear from this year that Dr. Gunn and Coach Leach, they have a deep love for the school and understand and appreciate the positive role athletics plays in the school community. Through our conversations, it became evident we share a common belief that the student-athlete experience prepares young people for the challenges they will face throughout life. I am excited to work with the student-athletes, coaches, staff, the community of Hopkinsville and the incredible fan base to build on and create a shared vision for the future of Tiger Cross Country/Track & Field and Tiger Athletics.”

 A Georgia native, Pablo and his wife, Gaye Haynes, have a son, daughter-in-law and daughter, Nick, Kayla and Jaye and three grandchildren.

5000-meter Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Girls List

5000-meter Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Boys List

3-mile Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Girls List

3-mile Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Boys List

4000-meter Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Girls List

3000-meter Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Girls List

3000-meter Cross Country 
Top 10 All Time Boys List