UT Tyler Spotlight: MyKaela Alfred

Published 4:51 pm Friday, March 27, 2020

With NCAA sports canceled, the Tyler Morning Telegraph wants to profile UT Tyler athletes for “In the Spotlight.” Today’s featured athlete is MyKaela Alfred, who runs sprints and hurdles. Alfred ran to the second-best time in school history with a time of 9.28 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles on Feb. 1 in the Pittsburg State Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas. A little less than three weeks later, she improved to 9.18 in the 60-hurdles at the Lone Star Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships on Feb. 21 on the campus of Lubbock Christian University in Lubbock. The next day, Alfred ran a 9.13 to place sixth overall.

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Name: MyKaela Alfred

Hometown: Tyler

High School: Chapel Hill High School

Parents names: LaSonja and Carlos Alfred

Sister: Brittany Alfred

Sports you play: Women’s Track and field

Favorite UT Tyler Sports memory: My favorite memory is when I played on the women’s basketball team and we were playing at Concordia University and the game was coming down to the wire. There was only six seconds left on the clock and we were tied 51-51. My teammate tried to drive but didn’t have a clear path, so she dished it back out to me for a deep three in which I banked it off the glass to secure the game for us.

Plans after UT Tyler: When I graduate, I plan on returning to UT Tyler to obtain my Masters degree in a field that is not yet determined.

Favorite song: Praise Him in Advance, Marvin Sapp

Favorite TV show: 9-1-1

Favorite Movie: Love & Basketball

Who are your role models? I would have to say my parents are my role models. They have taught me so many life lessons and have influenced me to be who I am today. Both are my biggest supporters and are hardworking individuals.

Who are your favorite teachers? Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, Ashley Dalby, and Robert Bardin

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In 10 years, I see myself coaching basketball at the collegiate level whether that be NAIA, JUCO, DI, DII, or DIII. It would be a blessing to coach at any level honestly.

Something about yourself that most people don’t know? Most people don’t know that I use to be a dual sport athlete at the university.

What will you miss most about UT Tyler? The atmosphere and the sports for sure. A lot of relationships and friendships were built through sports and I will cherish the memories forever.