Schalick senior Jordan Hadfield closes a decorated high school track career at the Meet of Champions looking to reach another goal
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
Jordan Hadfield had just settled into her seat on the bus, another state championship gold medal and her well-worn but reliable pair of track shoes safely tucked away with her belongings, when the realization of the day finally struck her.
The Schalick senior had just run the last state championship race of her storied high school career – winning the Group I girls 1600 for the second year in a row – and with one more race (maybe two) the time for wearing the Cougars’ green was going to come to an end.
It’ll be an emotional time for one of the most decorated runners in Salem County history and she’ll understandably be sad when it’s over. But while she’s on the track Wednesday she’s determined to make an effort that just might extend her experience a little longer.
“I’m so upset about it, because I’m going to miss it so much,” she said. “My teammates and my coaches, I can’t even think about not having them anymore and starting with a new team. After Wednesday I don’t get to ask them what’s training or what are we doing. It’s just like not them anymore. It’s just, like, crazy.
“After we got on the bus I was like that was my last 4×4, my last states. It just didn’t seem real. I’m sure I’m going to be very upset on Wednesday.”
Jordan will lace up the shoes in an NJSIAA for the final time Wednesday in the Meet of Champions. She’s going in as the 12 seed in the 1600, which should get her in the fast heat, and 20th with a wildcard spot in the 3200, an event that’s still under debate.
There are a lot of titles and a lot of miles in those shoes. They’ve been with her since she first started running as a sophomore. They’ve been taped together more times than she can count – “they’re pretty bad,” she laughed – but she’d never leave home without them.
In fact, she’s probably putting them with her gear when she runs track and cross country at Rhode Island for old time’s sake.
“I’m definitely keeping my spikes,” she said. “I’ve had them since sophomore year. They were the first pair I got and kept them all the way through. I’m pretty sure we have to wear our team-sponsored spikes, but they (the Schalick shoes) might stay in my dorm.”
They’ve certainly been a faithful to her. They’ve taken her to 20 outdoor track wins in Salem County, Tri-County, Sectional and State Championships. Add her indoor and cross country success and her career win total in the majors is through the Grand Slam rises to 30.
“So much of it is the off-season training and everything you put in to build up for those state moments,” she said. “Winning Salem County, winning Tri-County and all that gives you motivation and confidence and the feeling of having to race hard for those meet before it becomes championship season.
“And they’re all titles you want to get and they all build on each other and you get in so much better shape as you get into May. Once you’re there, you just perform.”
The latest win – Saturday’s 1600 state title – looked close on the clock, but she had it well in hand, winning by 2.45 seconds. Although she trailed briefly right before the bell lap, she ended up regaining the lead and continued a side-by-side battle with Wallkill Valley’s Delana Einreinhofer until the Delaware commitment who edged her for second in the 3200 died off with about 100 meters left.
Hadfield threw it into another gear and left the rest of the field to race hard for the second automatic berth in the Meet of Champions, which went to Riley Fayer of Audubon.
“Ella (Anderson of Metuchen) was on me the whole time; I could actually feel her like hitting my spikes,” Hadfield said. “I was pretty nervous, especially when they passed me, because I knew I had to go around them going to the bell lap. There were like five of us and I felt like anybody could have had it. Going into the meet I was the only one who was sub-five (minutes) so I was trying to get that again.
“it meant so much because it was my last opportunity to get another state title. I lost the 32 (Friday) night and won the mile last year so I wanted the back-to-back titles. Going in with first seed I was like I’m seeded to win so I have to now. I felt like there was a big target on my back. I know they were all going for me, so I knew I had to go out and run my race and not get caught running behind people and trying to pass the whole time because that just never works out.”
So it’s once more into the breach Wednesday. Even though it will be the last NJSIAA race of her high school career, don’t think it will be some nostalgic run. She’s hoping the heightened competition in the 1600 will push her to a 4:58 or better to earn a spot in the New Balance Nationals later this month.
Regardless how the last one turns out, there’s no disputing it’s been a heck of a ride, er, run.
The Hadfield File
Jordan Hadfield’s major career wins
SOPHOMORE
Outdoor: Salem County 1600, 3200; Tri-County 1600, South Jersey Group I 3200
JUNIOR
Outdoor: Salem County 800, 1600, 3200, 4×400; Tri-County 800, 3200; State 1600, 3200
Indoor: South Jersey Group I 1600, 3200
Cross country: Salem County, Tri-County, South Jersey Group I, State Group I
SENIOR
Outdoor: Salem County 800, 1600, 3200, 4×400; Tri-County 1600; South Jersey Group I 1600, 3200; State Group I 1600
Indoor: South Jersey Group I 1600, 3200
Cross country: Salem County, Tri-County
MEET OF CHAMPIONS
(Wednesday, Pennsauken HS)
SALEM COUNTY ATHLETES
GIRLS
1600: 12. Jordan Hadfield, Schalick (5:01.16)
3200: 20. Jordan Hadfield, Schalick (10:59.56)
Shot Put: 23. Tatiyonna Crawford, Pennsville (36-9)
Pole Vault: 10. Megan Morris, Pennsville (10-6)
BOYS
4×800: 5. Woodstown (7:59.15)
400 Hurdles: 16. David Stewart, Schalick (55.04)
4×100: 26. Schalick (42.82)
800: 3. Josh Crawford, Woodstown (1:53.44); 16. Cole Lucas, Woodstown (1:55.01)
4×400: 18. Woodstown (3:23.93)
Javelin: 13. Connor Ayars, Pennsville (172-10)
Long Jump: 10. Anthony Parker, Salem (22-5)
Triple Jump: 24. Bryan Garlic, Penns Grove (44-0)
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