Quanesha Burks signs a scholarship with the University of Alabama on Monday. Seated with her are her mother Lesha Dobbins and sister Jayla and grandmother Cathy Williams and sister Olivia. Standing, from left, are her grandfather, Fred Williams; Principal Jeff Hyche; Steven Knight, her junior high coach; Kenny Lopez, her high school head coach; and HHS athletic director Johnny Berry.

Quanesha Burks, Alabama Class 5A record holder in the indoor 60-meter dash and indoor triple jump, has signed a track and field scholarship with the University of Alabama.

The Hartselle High School senior signed the scholarship on national signing day Feb. 6 and was honored at a re-signing and reception in the school cafeteria on Monday.

The event was attended by family members and an estimated 125 student athletes.

They gave the honoree a standing ovation after she thanked them for coming and giving her encouragement and support during her high school career.

Burks chose Alabama over four other Division I schools that offered her a scholarship. They included Auburn, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

“I felt comfortable when I visited the campus there,” Burks said. “It felt like home. “They have a rising track and field program there, too, and I wanted to be a part of making it even better.”

She said she is looking forward to her senior year in track and field and is excited about the improvement her teammates are making.

Burks is an eight-time60-meter dash and triple jump. She also excels in the broad jump.

Burks has run and jumped competively since she was a seventh grader and has seldom lost an event during the past four years. She credits her success to having a God-given talent.

“It a big moment for our program to have a track and field athlete sign a major college scholarship,” said Hartselle High head track coach Kenny Lopez. “This is all about her and what she has been able to accomplish at the high school level.”

I knew she was going to be a special athlete the first time I saw her run and jump.” “Her times are as good as anyone in the state and I don’t see anything that can stand in her way of becoming a big winner on the college level.”

“She’s not only a great athlete but a great young lady and we’re all proud of her and excited about her future,” he added. all-state performer and holds state records in the