Reitz's First Champion

John Alexander - Captain of the
Indiana University Cross
Country team in 1927.

John Alexander was the first state champion in the history of our school and one of our greatest student athletes.  He was outstanding in the classroom as well as in the field of athletics.  John was Vice President of his senior class and served as President of his junior class.  He was also involved in the Hi-Y club, the drama club, the debate team, the forum, and the yearbook.          

As a member of the Wrestling team, the Football team, the Basketball team, and the Track team as well as a competitive swimmer, he was a true multi-sport athlete.  Track is the sport in which John excelled.  He was part of Reitz’s first undefeated sport team in 1922.  In 1923, as a junior he finished 4^th at state in the Mile, breaking the previous state record.  In his senior year, 1924, John won state in both the Mile and 880 yard races.  He went on to finish 5^th in both events at the National High School Track Meet held in Chicago. 

After high school John went on to run track and cross-country at Indiana University.  He was the captain of the IU cross-country team in 1925-26.  After his days in sports, John became Dr. Alexander.  He graduated from IU medical school and became an established optometrist on the Westside.