Photo courtesy of Jordan Sales
Watch Jordan compete at the Russell Blunt East Coast Invitational this weekend on MileSplit here!
Jordan Sales, a rising freshman at J.H. Rose High School (NC), is the top seed in the girls 13-14 200m at the Russell Blunt East Coast Invitational in Durham, North Carolina, this weekend. Sales is coming off a huge performance at the North Carolina Junior Olympic Championship, where she ran 24.05 for 200m. Although she is racing the 100m and 200m this weekend, her focus is on the half-lap with a goal of running sub-24.
Sales doesn't feel any pressure despite being the top-ranked star at this event. Instead, it motivates her.
"I'll keep training non-stop until I reach my goals," she said.
She had to make some new goals this year after a winter of big accomplishments.
After winning titles in the 55m and 200m at the USATF National Youth Indoor Track and Field Championships, Jordan set the indoor USATF national record for girls 13-14 in the 200m with a time of 24.92! As an 8th-grader, Sales already has four titles to her name, and she could add to that collection this weekend.
Her hardworking attitude stretches into other aspects of her life as well, including music. After starting with violin as a first-grader, Sales is now an advanced-level violin player. Her desire to excel to excel both on the track and off has helped her develop time management skills.
Sales said her biggest support comes from her mother, Tawanna Sales. But she's also accompanied by her other teammates competing this weekend as well. During the summer, Jordan competes for Revelation Peak Performance Track Club, which is based in Winterville, North Carolina. She said her biggest role model is her coach, Reese Owens, who, unlike most coaches, trains with Sales and her team, and runs every workout with them. He also competes for himself, which Sales looks toward for inspiration and encouragement. The ultimate goal Sales has set for herself is eventually qualifying for the Olympics, which keeps her strong and focused.
This weekend will be her last meet as a middle schooler, and Sales is excited for the upcoming challenges high school will provide. She is looking forward to new competition and said it will help her improve.
The 200m semifinals begin on Friday, July 15, at 1:00PM, and the finals are Sunday, July 17, at 3:30PM.
