Local youth is setting records, running circles around competition

26th September 2011   ·   0 Comments

By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer

To say that Jordan Johnson is ahead of the pack would be an understatement. After just one year of competing, the local athlete, who runs for the NORD Metropolitan Track Club, has placed in the AAU (Athletic Amateur Union) National Primary Meet, which qualifies him for the AAU Junior Olympics. During his very first meet at the LSU indoor track, he won the 200 meters and while competing in the Governor’s game, Johnson set records in the 50, 100 and 200 meter races.

In the USATF (USA Track & Field) Southern Association JO Meet at LSU, he broke the record in the 100 meters, in the long jump and he tied the record in the 200 meters. At the AAU National Primary Championships in Orlando, Florida, he set a record in the 55 meter dash and broke the record in the 100 meter dash.

Jordan Johnson was also selected to appear in the 2011 Edition of “The Best Athletes in AAU.”

Quite a run for any athlete, but most impressive for a young boy who just turned six earlier this month.

The Arden Cahill Academy first grader has always loved to run, according to his father, William Johnson. “He’d race the cars on our block. And when we’d take him to visit family, he’d race my nieces and nephews (who were a couple of years older than Jordan) and would beat all of them.”

The Johnson’s were urged by a family member to involve young Jordan in track & field.

“We took him over to the Metropolitan Track Club out of New Orleans — and they really liked him,” Johnson laughs.

Jordan’s best time in the 50 meters is 8.5 seconds, 100 meters; his time is 16.1 and 35.4 in the 200 meters. His long jump record is 2.16 meters. Jordan has taken first place in several meets in the N.O. Metropolitan area. He has over 17 medals, most of them for first place honors. As of this month, Jordan is ranked 569th out of 4,382 athletes under the age 9 in the 100 meter (in the National Elite Youth Ranking System) and 852 out of 3,746 in the 200 meter category.

“He’s only lost once to a competitor his age.” Johnson told the Louisiana Weekly.

All the while, Jordan is still at the top of his game in the classroom; he’s an A-B student.

The proud father believes his son may not fully understand how much he’s accomplished in such a short time, but is certain as he matures and realizes his potential, he will continue to participate in sports.

“I truly believe sports teach discipline, teamwork and respect, which is a great attribute,” Johnson added. “This can definitely carry over as he becomes an adult and productive citizen.”

Although track season is coming to an end, Jordan has apparently found another sport to conquer.

“After a few of his friends began to play football, Jordan decided to play also,” Johnson says. “He’s doing surprisingly well; he’s scored four touchdowns in two games. He’s a big sports guy.”

This article was originally published in the September 26, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper