Calif. sophomore runner a step ahead of field

Even though she was a talented freestyle swimmer from ages 9-12, Jordan Hasay always has had a love for running. She did it for fun as a youngster, but an activity in a fourth grade gym class at St. Patrick's in Arroyo Grande, Calif., changed her life forever.

It was during a fourth grade gym class when Jordan Hasay realized she was faster than all the boys in her class. Photo by Mark Smith

"I beat all the boys," said Hasay. "The coach asked me to join the [track] team. In my first race (the mile) I almost won. I lost by one second. I didn't know you had to strain at the end."

Later that year she ran an outstanding 6:16 mile and defeated the field, which included seventh and eighth graders.

"I just love [running] and really like to challenge myself and work toward goals," Hasay said. "I like the hills and I like the cold. I don't run well in the heat at all. It's usually cold in [Arroyo Grande] and I run in the morning."

Now a sophomore at Mission College Prep (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), the dynamic mighty mite hit the big time when she became only the second freshman to win the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championship. The 5-foot-1, 98-pounder then added to her growing legend by setting a national freshman record with a 10:07.56 in the 3,200-meter run during the track season.

"I was really surprised," Hasay said of her national cross country triumph against older, more experienced girls. "I think it helped that there wasn't any pressure on me. I'm still surprised how well I did when I watch the tape."

Hasay's 4:42.21 mile in track barely missed breaking the USA freshman record (4:42) by Mary Decker, who just happens to be her idol.

National cross country expert Rich Gonzalez says people shouldn't underestimate Hasay because of her small stature. He describes the blonde, pony-tailed star as "muscular and very toned. She definitely is a strength runner. Don't ever call her fragile."

Hasay inherited her athletic ability from her mother, Teresa, who was an outstanding swimmer in England and her father, Joe, who scored over 2,000 points in basketball as a Pennsylvania prep star. "I'd like to get a little bit taller," Hasay admits, "but I don't need to. My legs are long for my size."

She gets her strength from running 45 to 50 miles per week during the season and 60 in the off season. She also swims about three hours per week and lifts light weights frequently.

Mission College Prep coach Armando Siqueiros, a doctor and national-class marathon runner, knew he had something special when he first saw Hasay as a freshman. "She was very raw," he said. "She has had a lifestyle that continues to develop her aerobic capacities. She had a base fitness, but didn't know about workouts and how to peak. I gave her concepts of how the seasons should work -- how to peak. She had a tendency to take off like a jack rabbit. She is a very bright young lady. Everything I give her, she absorbs like a sponge. Her composure is just phenomenal. I don't think anybody pushes Jordan. Jordan pushes Jordan."

Last Saturday Hasay won the girls individual race championship in 17:12 at the nation's largest cross-country meet, the Mt. SAC Invitational in Walnut, Calif. It was only her third race of the year as she concentrates on training and preparing for state and postseason events. She is doing more speed work and trying to develop a strong finishing kick.

"We're holding back this year so I can peak for the nationals," she said. "In February I'm going to try to make the USA team for cross-country."

Hasay quickly is becoming a folk hero of sorts in California. Following the Mt. SAC triumph, she was surrounded by people seeking autographs. "I had to sign a girl's stomach," she said. "This year it's a lot worse than last year. I'm fine with it if I have a good race. If it's not a good race, I go (away from the autograph seekers) and cool down."

A straight "A" student, Hasay's only thought about college at this time is that she wants to "stay on the West Coast. Math is my favorite subject even though I have to work hardest at it. I like science, too. I'm thinking about medical (in college), but my coach is trying to steer me out of that because he is a doctor and he says how hard it is."

She realizes that defending her national cross-country title is going to be a lot tougher than winning it as somewhat of an unknown. "I try not to think about it," she said. "I hope I can do it again, but I hope I won't let people down. I'm just focusing on my training."

More Notes

• Fairview (Sherwood, Ohio) junior quarterback Ryan Radcliff (6-2 ½, 191 pounds) set a state record when he passed for 678 yards in a 68-41 victory over previously unbeaten Ayersville (Defiance). He completed 35 of 56 passes and threw nine touchdown passes. The previous record was 602 yards by another Fairview player, Kirk Jesse. Radcliff threw two other TD passes, but they were nullified by penalties.

• Valencia (Calif.) running back Shane Vereen carried 14 times for a school-record 354 yards and six touchdowns during a 58-7 rout of Golden Valley. He sat out the final seven minutes of the second quarter and all of the second half. He played only four minutes of actual game time. Holding penalties negated TD runs of 85 and 60 yards.

• Austin Prep (Mass.) senior running back Nathan Sherr set a state career scoring record of 590 points when he had five touchdowns in a 36-32 victory over Cardinal Spellman. The record could have been reached earlier in his career had he not missed 10 games due to various injuries.