Speedy Zamarii Sanders granted provisional eligibility despite dispute with American Heritage
Zamarii Sanders, a track standout who is also trying to make a name for himself on the football field, transferred from Plantation American Heritage to West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman ahead of his junior season for the chance to get more playing time on the gridiron.
And despite some contention from his former school, the speedy junior has cleared a needed hurdle to be able to play.
Sanders was granted provisional eligibility by the Florida High School Athletic Association while he waits for American Heritage to send Cardinal Newman his transcripts, according to a press release issued Wednesday by Athlete Defender attorney Jason Satchen.
Sanders will now be able to practice and play in games for Cardinal Newman, which begins its season Friday against Miami Monsignor Pace.
Sanders wrote on social media Tuesday that American Heritage is “refusing” to release his transcripts over a “contract dispute” between his mom and the school.
“I’ve already missed one preseason game,” Sanders wrote in the post. “I won two track state titles with them. I have the right to transfer!”
“We are very grateful to the FHSAA for awarding Zamarii Sanders provisional eligibility so that he can pursue his education and athletic career at Cardinal Newman High School pending his appeal,” the Athlete Defender press release read. “While a contractual dispute remains between Ms. Sanders and American Heritage, Ms. Sanders remains fully committed to working with the institution in good faith in an attempt to reach a fair resolution.”
Neither American Heritage School dean of students Dean Nolle nor athletic director Bruce Aven returned an email request seeking comment.
Sanders, who was the Miami Herald’s Broward Boys’ Track and Field Athlete of the Year this spring, was integral in American Heritage winning its third-ever team state track and field title in May.
In addition to winning the 200-meter dash, he ran the third leg of the Patriots’ 400-meter relay that posted a time of 39.39 seconds — the first time ever a Florida high school relay ran sub-40 seconds in the event. Twins Brandon and Braylen Bennett along with Xavier Lucas rounded out the relay group.
The previous state record was held by the American Heritage quartet of Patrick Surtain Jr., Tyson Campbell, Jaden McBurrows, and Anthony Schwartz, which ran 40.14 seconds in 2018.
However, his time on the football team last season was limited as he was down on the depth chart behind a quartet of classmates in Malachi Toney, Brandon Bennett, Jamar Denson and Jeffar Jean-Noel.
That said, Sanders is still listed as a three-star wide receiver by Rivals and has a half-dozen college football offers: Miami, Kentucky, Louisville, Texas A&M, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
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