Altus High School sophomore Jamele Alexander runs track, power lifts and, perhaps most importantly, plays football for the Bulldogs. He keeps sports at the center of his life.

“I started playing sports when I was 5,” Alexander said. “I started off playing soccer, then after a year playing that, I started playing football.”

Alexander’s family is a mixed bag. The second child of five, Alexander has three sisters and one brother. He and only one sibling, his sister, who plays volleyball, power lifts and runs track, play sports. Alexander’s mother introduced him to football first.

“She found a little league near us that started off with flag football,” Alexander said. “I’ve been sticking with football ever since then. I started running track my eighth grade year and power lifting my freshman year.”

Alexander wants it all: to lead the Bulldogs to success on the gridiron, in the weight room and on the track; and to play college sports. It’s not all about personal glory for the sophomore three-sporter.

“I love going out and competing against other people because I consider myself a competitive person, and I love making my family proud,” Alexander said. “I really enjoy being an Altus Bulldog because there’s so much rich history, and I just want to help add more.”

His school pride, competitive nature and personal ambitions for success reach their peak whenever Alexander gets to play rival Duncan. There’s not much Alexander enjoys more than any chance he gets to square off with the Demons.

“Duncan Week is always my favorite because of the rivalry,” Alexander said.

After high school, Alexander wants to continue his playing career, “but if that doesn’t work,” he said, “then I’ll study business.”