Among the many outstanding team and individual performances turned in by the Boston University track and field program, the four-year career of Nick Saunders stands as one of the all-time greats.
An all-around athlete by nature but a high jumper specialist, Saunders dominated the college track and field scene throughout the early 80s. He captured first place at the 1984 Indoor NCAA Championships, becoming the first ever national champion in University history. A four-time All-American, Saunders completed his career with a total of 17 first-place finished at the Indoor and Outdoor IC4A, New England and Greater Boston Championships.
As a freshman in 1981-82, Saunders turned in a stellar debut campaign, sweeping the triple jump, high jump and 60-meter dash at the Indoor Greater Boston Championships, and adding a first in the 55-meter dash at the New England Indoor Championships. During the outdoor season, he captured his first of four consecutive Greater Boston titles in the high jump, and ran a leg on the winning 4x100 meter relay team at the New England Outdoor Championships.
However, it was the following year that Saunders firmly established himself as one of the best collegiate high jumpers in the nation. He gained All-America recognition at both the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships, won the Greater Boston and New England Indoor and Outdoor championships and established Boston University records of 7'6 1/2" indoors and 7'6" outdoors. In recognition of his efforts, he was named the New England Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
During his junior campaign in the 1983-84, Saunders won the school's first-ever individual championship, leaping to victory at the indoor NCAA Championships while adding triumphs at the IC4A and New England Indoor Championships and the Greater Boston Indoor and Outdoor Championships. A native of Paget, Bermuda, Saunders capped the year by competing in the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in Bermuda.
Returning to the collegiate ranks for his senior year in 1984-85, Saunders again gained All-America stature at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, won the Greater Boston Outdoor title and added a win in the 60-meter dash at the Greater Boston Indoor Championship.
Following graduation, Saunders remained actively involved at the competitive level of track and field, and again represented Bermuda at the 1988 Olympic Games is Seoul, Korea.
