When Jordan Fields began training for the 2015 track season, she had one goal in mind; represent her country at the 2015 World Youth Championships. Two weeks ago at the U.S Youth Trials in Illinois, that goal became a reality. Fields won the heptathlon with a personal best score of 5,087 points. That performance came just weeks after winning her first national title in the heptathlon at New Balance Outdoor Nationals with a then personal best of 4,948 points. She will look to improve on that best yet again, on the world's largest stage in Cali, Colombia this week.
Many people may see Fields’ recent success as a breakout, however she has been quietly having great success at Creekside High School. The rising senior has been All-State since her freshman year including a top five finish in the high jump this past May at the state meet. All of these honors have been the product of hard work, and Fields’ is elated to see it pay off. She said, "to make the world youth team was the goal from the beginning, but the fact that all of my hard work has paid off, and my dreams are becoming a reality still puts me in shock to this day.”
Her plan for Colombia is simple, relax and do what she does best. “My plan is to execute and hit the marks I need in each of my seven events to hopefully bring a medal back to the states” said Fields. That should be no problem for the 16 year old taking on the world at her first international meet, seeing as her coach has prepared her for just this moment. Her coach, also happens to be her father, Ricky Fields, and it is this bond that she credits to her success. She says “My dad was the one who introduced me to the multi events, and is my coach for almost every event. He has a tremendous amount of faith in me, and is by far one of the best coaches I know.” The duo are out at the track nearly every day, sometimes even twice a day working on the variety of skills needed to be an elite heptathlete.
Despite all this success Jordan is one of the most humble and caring people you could ever meet. You will always see her with a smile on her face, and making friends with her competition. In fact one of the things she is most looking forward to on this trip is the camaraderie. “I am most looking forward to gaining close friendships with my teammates, some of which I have actually already developed close bonds within these first couple of days together!” says Fields. She hasn’t forgotten about the friends and family she has back home however, and she truly believes they also have a huge impact on her performance. “God has blessed me with the best friends on the planet, and they have been an instrumental part of my career,” says Fields. “My mom and sister are also my number one fans, and the best supporters I will ever have. They’ve been to almost every single meet no matter how far from home, and I would definitely not be where I am today without them.”
Jordan will be taking on the World’s best youth this week in Cali, Colombia. There is no doubt she has already made her state proud, however now it is time to make her country proud. If she continues to be the athlete and individual that she is, then she will have no problem accomplishing that feat.