Culver-Stockton College two-sport athlete Adrian Sanchez has been named the Missouri National Guard Student Athlete of the Month for January.

Sanchez, a freshman from Lansing, Mich. (J.W. Sexton HS), is a running back for the Wildcat football team and a sprinter and jumper for the Wildcat track and field team. In his first year on the gridiron, Sanchez was used mostly on special teams returning kicks. He recorded 14 kickoff returns for 232 yards for an average of 16.6 yards per return. In addition, he carried the ball seven times for 31 yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry.

This winter, Sanchez has been busy with the indoor track and field team, participating in four individual events and one relay. He competes in the 200 and 400-meter dashes, the triple jump and the long jump. He also is a member of the 4x400 meter relay team. Sanchez has set personal bests in the 200-meter dash, the triple jump and the long jump.

Off the playing fields, Sanchez is a psychology major who was named to the Dean's List (3.5-3.99 GPA) after his first semester on the Hill. In his spare time, Sanchez likes to help mentor other students and is a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT).

Citizen Soldiers have been defending our freedom since 1636. From every major conflict since the Revolutionary War, to Natural disaster relief, Guardsmen have been answering the call worldwide and stateside.

By serving part time in the Missouri Army National Guard you could earn many benefits that include 100 percent tuition assistance, up to 50,000 in student loan repayment, and even a monthly paycheck just by serving one weekend a month, two weeks a year. Please contact your local National Guard recruiter SSG Richy Kohler at 1-800-Go-Guard or go to www.moguard.com for more information on becoming freedoms next defender!