The562’s coverage of track and field is sponsored by Bryson Financial
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by John Ross, Class of 2013
Jordan High sophomore Jordan Washington just wrapped up one of the most memorable two-sport seasons a Long Beach athlete has had in years, and one of the best years by a Panther in more than two decades. Washington finished second in the 100 and fourth in the 200 at Saturday’s CIF State Finals. His teammate Darryl Stevens finished sixth in the 300 hurdles, meaning that Jordan earned 16 points in the boys’ team standings, more than Wilson or Poly.
“I cried some tears of joy and some tears of sadness too,” said Washington. “I wanted to come out winning both races. I’ve come a long way, now I can really see where I’m at.”
In the 100, he was behind only Rodrick Pleasant, the Serra junior speedster who set the state record in the event earlier this year.
“I’m extremely glad to be the fastest in Jordan history as a sophomore, I’ve been working all year, been working for more than that to get here,” he said. “I’m blessed to be at Jordan and to have mentors there and my coach.”
Washington credited his coach, Sharaud Moore, with his development on the track this year. Two years ago, in 8th grade, Washington set a new LBUSD All-City meet record as the fastest middle schooler in city history. But he said that at the time he wasn’t really training for track, just running laps with his middle school team to work out.
“I was just fast, I didn’t really know how to run,” he said.
After two years of hard work with Moore, he certainly knows how to run. His time of 10.44 was strong on Saturday, but on Friday he was the fastest qualifier at prelims with a 10.31—that was the sixth-fastest time run by anyone in the state this year and the fastest time in the nation by a sophomore.
It raises the question—Washington is a speedy football player who has earned college scholarship offers on the field. Is he a football player who runs track or a track athlete who plays football?
“That’s the question people have been asking me,” said Washington. “I really like both. I love football, I’ve always loved it. But I also love the individual aspect of track, that I can go up against big schools or teams and I can still win. I’m glad I don’t have to pick between them for a few more years, I’m going to enjoy doing both.”
