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.
It was a historic day for the Jordan track and field program at the CIF-SS Track and Field Finals at Moorpark on Saturday, in more ways than one. The Panthers showed up as a team, and Jordan Washington showed up once again as a star.
The Panthers team claimed last year’s CIF-SS Division 2 title, and moved up to Division 1 for this season. While some might have expected that to set them back, the Panthers showed very well in the D1 races, and took home the silver plaque for their efforts, with 37 points as a program.
“For me that shows our kids that what we’re doing at Jordan isn’t a fluke,” said Jordan coach Sharaud Moore. “That hard work, training, and preparation pay off. I couldn’t be more proud of my guys, everyone who competed scored points. And I’m proud that Long Beach is represented all through the division—Poly, Wilson, Lakewood, Millikan. But I’m especially proud of the Northside and what we have going on.”
The Jordan boys’ quartet of Johnathan Edwards, Jordan Washington, Jacob Hernandez, and Darryll Stevens Jr. opened up the day for the Panthers with a third-place finish in the 4×100 with a time of 10.44. Washington would go on to double in the 100 and 200 with blazing times of 10.24 and 20.76; the 10.24 represents a new CIF-SS Division 1 record and one of the fastest times in state history.
“Second all-time is crazy,” said Washington. “Think of all the people who’ve run in California or who are still running today.”
Washington said there was no shame in losing to league rival Poly, but that he was proud of what he and his teammates were able to accomplish with relatively small numbers.
“First off congrats to Poly, they deserve that,” he said. “We proved there’s no fluke in Jordan, we can go into any division and compete. We proved everyone wrong who thought we’d move to Division 1 and struggle.”
Moore couldn’t have been prouder of his star sprinter, and predicted he still has more ability to drop time. He’ll get a chance to race against the fastest high schooler in California history, as Rodrick Pleasant of Serra dropped a 10.09 earlier on Saturday.
“He understands he’s in a race with him, not just there to show up,” said Moore. “What he did today speaks for itself. What more can you ask from a kid than a PR and a CIF championship? It shows what happens when he locks in, when all of our team locks in.”
Darryll Stevens, Jerman Simms Jr., and Jermar Andrews all qualified as individuals as well for the Panthers, with Stevens’ 38.04 for third place in the 300 hurdles the best mark from the rest of the squad.
Jordan
Boys’ 4×100, 3rd, 41.88
Boys’ 100: Jordan Washington, 1st, 10.24
Boys’ 300 Hurdles: Darryll Stevens, 3rd, 38.04
Boys’ 200: Jordan Washington, 1st, 20.76
Boys’ 4×400, 6th, 3:24.93
Boys’ High Jump: Jerman Simms Jr., 8th, 6-0
Boys’ Triple Jump: Jermar Andrews, 7th, 44-4
