Jordan Beight is looking to finish his high school career off with a state title.
Jordan Beight of Grandview Heights High School is a multi-event athlete who has recently participated in the OATCCC Indoor State Championship and the New Balance Nationals Indoor. Jordan will be competing for Cornell University in Ithaca, New York next year. Read below to learn more about Jordan's accomplishments and his future goals relating to his track and field career.
MileSplit Ohio: Describe your indoor season. Did your results live up to your expectations going in? What are you most proud of from what you accomplished and was there anything that you felt could have gone better?
Jordan: The indoor season did not turn out the way that I was hoping it would. I went in determined to win a state championship and I ended up taking 4th place in the 60m hurdles and 4th place in the long jump. I'm not too enthusiastic about those results, especially the long jump, but it has made me motivated for the outdoor season. I'm most proud of placing 10th in the Championship Pentathlon at the New Balance Nationals Indoor. A couple of events slipped away from me, but that's just part of the multi-events. Aside from that, the indoor season is a great transition into the outdoor season.
MileSplit Ohio: What events will you be focusing on during the outdoor season? What goals do you hope to accomplish over the next few months?
Jordan: This outdoor season I'll be focusing on the 100m dash, 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles and the long jump, as I did last year. My goal, as a team player, is to win our league championship. As a sophomore, we finished second, just one point behind the first place team. Last year was a down year, in terms of numbers, for the boys program but I'm feeling optimistic about our chances this year. As an individual, my goal is to win a state championship. Last year, I had two 2nd place finishes; one in the long jump and one in the 300m hurdles. It's important not to be complacent this year as I'm focused toward training for just one step higher on the podium.
Jordan Beight is determined to help his team win a league championship.
MileSplit Ohio: Describe what your typical week of training resembles. Who are your key training partners and do you have a favorite workout that you rely on leading up to an important race?
Jordan: Before the meets start our practices are usually a little harder in order to get us into shape. Once we start to get into the season, Sunday's will be our workout day (middle distance), Monday's are reserved for events, usually we have a meet on Tuesday and Wednesday is our rest day. On Thursday we do sprints and events and Friday often times we have another meet. Saturday is designated as a recovery day. One workout I like a lot is for the 300m hurdles. A few days before the race we would map out splits over every hurdle to run what I would want a P.R. to be. Then, I would run over the first 120 meters trying to hit those splits. So, in the actual race, I know exactly what it should feel like when I'm on pace to P.R. and it really helps my confidence knowing that I'm not starting too fast or too slow. For training partners, I can always rely on Dareth Douglass, Molly Smith and Jordan Butler to push me to be the best that I can be.
MileSplit Ohio: Who has helped you to reach the level that you've attained to this point in your track and field career?
Jordan: That is a tough question because of how many individuals there are to name. The Grandview football coaching staff because they showed me that my body can survive a physically demanding sport and for helping me to gain overall strength. My middle school track coach, Coach Shea. The Grandview Heights High School track coaching staff, especially Coach Schoch, Coach Chrispin, and Coach Brandt. Also, Chadd Pierce for coaching me in the multi-events throughout the year. Finally, my parents who have supported me and taken me to every track meet that I have had the opportunity to compete in.
MileSplit Ohio: What are your long-term goals related to track and field?
Jordan: I would like to win a state championship and to place in the decathlon at the Heps (Ivy League Championships) in 2018. Other than those two, I don't have much set at this point. I'm focused right now on training for this outdoor season to make sure that I end my high school career knowing that I gave my very best effort.
Jordan Beight is excited to compete for Cornell University in New York next year.