Watkins Memorial Sr. Andrew Jordan has the 2nd fastest time in the nation in XC. His 14:44.70 at the time, was the #1 ranked time. He's vastly improved from last year and his motiviation is just reaching his full potential. He is focused on the Ohio State championship meet and the Nike Cross Nationals. Andrew gave us the opportunity to talk with him. Here is our Ohio MileSplit interview.
Andrew Jordan
Watkins Memorial Class of 2016 Pataskala, OH
Personal Records
800m - 2:00.40
1600m (in) - 4:27.89
1600m - 4:16.58
3200m (xc) - 9:44.19
3200m (in) - 9:17.47
3200m - 9:05.82
2 Mile (xc) - 10:03.27
5K (xc) -
14:44.70
MileSplit OH : Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you. First, congratulations on a great season so far. You currently have the leading time in the US and Ohio for Cross Country (5K), running a 14:44.70 at the Galion Invitational. You were US #3, with a 14:59.89, going into that race. The time doesn't surprise me and I personally believe you are capable of going faster, as your 14:59.89 was run on a somewhat sloppy course and with a strong wind. First, tell us a little about your win at McGowan. What were your expectations going into the meet? Did you have a race strategy? And, what was your reaction to your time?
Jordan: The McGowan Invitational is our home meet and we have always had high expectations going into this race. Being my senior year, and my last go around at the McGowan, I wanted to regain the course record which was 15:26 held by Colin Burdette from Hilliard Davidson a year ago. The week before Colin broke the record, I broke the record at our league meet, only to have it for seven days. Going into the race, my hope was to break fifteen. Unfortunately, it rained the night before and the morning of which led to a sloppy course. I wasn't sure if it would be possible given the muddy and also windy conditions, but I still had my goal in mind. My race strategy was to get out and go. I knew if I wanted to break the record and run under fifteen I would have to get out and push myself. I planned to split 4:50, and 9:36. I got to the lead early and was a little too aggressive the first mile clocking a 4:47. The second mile was rough for me. I felt myself slowing down and went through two miles at 9:42 which I knew was well off my desired pace. I was able to push through the next half and once I got out of the woods, the people cheering brought me in. Once I crossed the finish line I was excited to hear I got under 15:00. People said I got under, but it was close. Once the official results came in, I was relieved to find I had run just barely under. I was honestly surprised at my time given my two-mile split. Looking back at 0.1 of a second, if I would have slowed down a tiny bit around a turn or in the back of the woods all alone I wouldn't have broken 15.
MileSplit OH : After going sub-15 at McGowan, what were your expectations going into the Galion race? What was your race strategy for Galion? Can you take us through that race start to finish. What was your reaction to your time?
Jordan: Once going sub-15 my perspective of the Galion course changed. The McGowan course is fast, but the Galion course is even faster. The week of Galion, my coach told me the course record was 14:49 held by Scott Fry, who was a Foot Locker National Champion 25 years ago. What's funny is my coach, John Jarvis, was actually in the race when Scott Fry ran that ridiculous time. So he gave me the goal of breaking the record. I saw it as sort of a longshot. Scott Fry is one of the best distance runners in Ohio's history. I knew the conditions would have to be perfect to have a chance. Like McGowan, my race strategy was the same, except obviously faster. I planned to go through the mile at 4:45 and two miles at 9:30. I wanted to run even splits. It was a bit windy but nice temperature and cloudy; it had sprinkled on our warm up. At the start of the race, I got out pretty quickl cause my teammate Daniel White GOT OUT! I ended up in the lead 200m in which is definitely the earliest I've ever led in a race. I continued to press early and separated myself from the competition. I went through the mile quick at 4:41 and continued to push. I felt smooth until the two-mile mark; I went through it at 9:30. I was on pace, but I was hurting. I almost took a wrong turn and ran into some flags which fired me up. I pushed myself up the long gradual uphill which is the most important part of the course. The last half mile is downhill for the most part so I knew all I had to do was hang on. When I turned the corner coming down the final stretch I saw the clock at 14:20. I finished with everything I had. I was super surprised my time was a whole 5 seconds under the record. This race gave me a ton of confidence given who the previous course record holder was.
MileSplit OH : Nick Stricklen of Lexington ran second in the race with a 15:17.50. That's a 32-second spread. You won at McGowan by 59 seconds. Pace is very important when you are running out front for most of a race by yourself. How confident are you with pace and what type of workouts are you doing?
Jordan: I am thankful to have the ability to control my pace. Pace is something I've learned from having to do workouts on my own. I have learned to know when I am slowing down and to react by pushing myself. I haven't always had a group of guys to workout with, and to help keep pace. I value this tool greatly, especially in cases when I am out front. Being able to keep pace gives me a lot of confidence in races. At this time in the season, all of my workouts are strength based, so tempo runs and longer fartlek workouts.
MileSplit OH : Let's go back and talk some about your career. When did you first start running? What did you run?
Jordan: I first started running when I went out for track in eighth grade. First I tried hurdles but I couldn't jump over the hurdles. Either I was too short or they were too tall, I don't know. I changed events and found myself running the 1600m, which was way too long. I think my best was 5:45.
MileSplit OH : When did you first go out for Cross Country? What were your thoughts that first day of practice?
Jordan: I first "went out" for cross country freshman year. I came to the first practice, ran four miles, and never returned. I decided to try golf which was a lot less physically demanding. I was terrible and never broke 100. I went out for track and improved a lot throughout the season which led me committing to Cross Country in the fall.
MileSplit OH : At what point in your running career did you realize that you had the potential to be not only a good runner, but one of the best high school runners in the nation?
Jordan: I didn't realize my potential until the Galion race. I knew I had made a big jump from last track season, but I never would've thought I'd run this fast, especially this early in the season. Breaking a course record held by a Foot Locker Champion was a big step for me.
MileSplit OH : You went to Cross State as a sophomore in 2013 and placed 35th with a time of 16:12.21. If you can take us through that experience?
Jordan: My sophomore year cross season was highlighted by the Regional race. All season my goal was to be top sixteen at every race because at regionals top sixteen qualifies you to the State meet. My goal was to get to the State meet, and I knew I was right on the edge going into the Regional race. I had the race of my life and barely placed 16th, beating 17th by 0.04 of a second. At the State meet, well I was just happy to be there, and for once I relaxed and raced. I focused on having fun. It was such a privilege to be racing at the state meet. The race was a humbling experience. I was not one to get out fast and everyone gets out fast at the State meet which is why I found myself at the back of the race. I was in 80th place at the mile and continued to move through the race. I had fun and even surprised myself in placing 35th after being 16th in the region.
MileSplit OH : You returned last year as a junior to State and ran 3rd behind two excellent Sr.'s Michel Vitucci of St. Xavier and Colin Burdette of Hilliard Davidson. You improved your time by 32 seconds, running 15:40.04. Going into last year's race, what were your expectations in comparison to your experience as a sophomore. How would you describe the finish of last year's State race? Coming off of the hill along the woods with about 400m to go, you were just behind Burdette and Vitucci and next to Luke Wagner of St. Ignatius. Can you take us through the last 400?
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Jordan: My expectations going into this race were vastly different from the year before. My expectation my sophomore year was just to have fun and if that was my sole goal again, my Coach Corum may have killed me. My goal was to be standing on the podium this year which is why I was shocked to be in that position with 400 meters left. Being behind a 4:07 miler and a guy who had beaten me all year, with a stretch to the finish, was unbelievable to me. I had a lot of thoughts running through my mind. One, I had to finish strong, with super talented runners in front and behind me. The thought that I could win this race also crossed my mind. The thought quickly vanished when Vitucci's lightning speed kicked in. Coming down the final stretch I didn't let off the pedal and maintained my position. I was blessed to have finished third in such a competitive field when my goal was to be top sixteen.
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MileSplit OH : After the State meet, you ran a 16:10.00 at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional, placing 48th. One would expect that this was a disappointing race for you? Can you tell us about that race?
Jordan: After my performance at the state meet, we decided it would be beneficial to go up to Kenosha. Racing at the Regional would give me experience for next year. The Regional race is three weeks after our State meet. These next three weeks felt like an eternity. We were trying to get a couple good workouts in and to keep tapering. This year, the focus was State. My coach made sure I was in my best shape of the season for the State meet and dragging the season out was rough on the legs. The experience was invaluable and a lot of fun, in spite of the eight-hour drive. It was definitely a learning experience for me. The course begins with a huge hill followed by the entrance to the narrow trail. The race got out extremely fast and again, I was not that type of runner. Once we got into the woods, and I was ready to start moving up, it was impossible. It was so congested in the woods and my first mile was a lot slower than normal. At that point, I was out of the race, but I continued to move up. I was disappointed, but I knew a trip to San Diego was a LONGSHOT. The experience I gained will be useful this year when I race the Regional meet.
MileSplit OH : Before we go back to Cross Country and the 2015 season. Let's talk a little about the 2015 indoor and outdoor track season. You won the OATCCC D1 3,200 Indoor State Championship in 9:17.47 and followed that up outdoors with a 3rd place finish in the OHSAA State D1 3200 finals with a time of 9:09.93. Hudson Sr. Kyle won the race in a time of 9:00.60 and Norwalk Sr. Luke Landis was 2nd with a time of 9:04.13. Coming off the Indoor win and a 3rd in Cross, where you had beaten Wagner, were you satisfied with your run?
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Jordan: I was disappointed with my race at the State meet. I had set a high goal for the outdoor race, coming off the win at indoors and a fast start to the outdoor season, when I ran 9:05 at an early meet. Now, I'd like to note Kyle did not compete at Indoor State. If he had, he would've beaten me. This was my first time at the outdoor state meet, and standing at the line on such a big stage, with a stacked field was very intimidating to me. I was pretty nervous. When it came down to the final stages of the race, Kyle made a move and I didn't react. I was passed by Luke and held on for third. I let the pressure get to me and didn't follow the race plan.
MileSplit OH : You are the leading returner in the D1 3,200. You also have a 4:16.38 1,600. Will your concentration indoors and in the Spring be on the 3200 or will you drop down to the 1600?
Jordan: My concentration will always be on the 3200 come the championship season, but I hope to run a fast time in the 1600 sometime during the season as well.
MileSplit OH : Do you prefer the Track or Cross Country? Why?
Jordan: This is the toughest question yet. I like both because I value the differences of racing on a track and on a cross country course, but if I had to choose one it would be Cross Country. One reason is because I think the longer distance is my forte. Another reason is because I love the team aspect of cross country. Our team is close knit. I love these guys. They are my best friends.
MileSplit OH : How would you describe yourself as a runner now and when you first started running? What was your motivation when you first started running? What is it now?
Jordan: Just by looking at past pictures, myself as a runner now is incomparable to the runner I was when I first started. When I first started to run, I didn't like it too much especially when I didn't run a personal best. Now, running is my passion whether I am racing well or not. I am thankful to be running. My motivation when I first started running was to be good at something. Throughout my life, I wasn't any good at sports. I went out for baseball, soccer, basketball, football, etc., but I hardly got to play. Looking back, I'm glad I struggled in other sports because it lead to me run. Now my motivation is to reach my full potential as a runner and see how far I can go.
MileSplit OH : It is mid-season now. What type of workouts are you doing? Can you take us through a typical week of practice Mon-Friday with a competition on Saturday?
Jordan: We are still doing strength based workouts and straying from race-pace workouts until the end of the season. Sunday: Long run-12 miles, Monday: Off day-7 or 8 miles, Tuesday: Tempo workout-5 miles worth of tempo, Wednesday: Off day-7 or 8 miles, Thursday: Fartlek type workout (varied minutes on/off a bit faster than tempo pace)-5 miles worth of fartlek, Friday: Pre-meet run-4 or 5 miles, Saturday: Race-7 or 8 miles total.
MileSplit OH : What are your expectations now for the rest of the season? What are your goals?
Jordan: My goals for the rest of the season include bettering my place from last year at State and qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals.
MileSplit OH : Does having the leading time in the nation have any impact on your expectations for the remainder of the season and the post season? (At the time we interviewed, it was the leading time. Now, it is the 2nd fastes time. Phillip Roca of Arcadia HS ran 14:32.50 at the Arcadia Invitational last weekend.)
Jordan: No. I try not to focus on times and rankings because this is Cross Country. Every course is different. Anything can happen. I understand rankings mean nothing, results count.
MileSplit OH : One last question and you don't have to answer if you don't want to or are just not ready too. Where can we expect to see you next year at the Collegiate level?
Jordan: You can expect to see me in Ames, Iowa sporting the cardinal and gold of the Iowa State Cyclones.
MileSplit OH : Thank you so much for your time. We ill be looking forward to watching you run the rest of the season and the post season. (Jordan's next race will be at the Midwest Meet of Champions in Hilliard this weekend. Ohio MileSplit will be there to cover the meet.)
