It’s a bird, it’s a plane … no, it’s Jordan Small. An all-conference high-jumper, the Visitation Academy junior has been involved with track since elementary school and last year qualified for the state competition. “I tried it out in fourth grade because my mom told me to go for it,” she says. “I did decently in CYC districts and I eventually grew to love it.”
To date, Small’s highest jump is 5 feet 4 inches. “The high jump involves a lot of technical and athletic skill, and a huge part of it is also mental,” she says. “A big key to success is being consistent, and that’s something I’ve been pretty good at.”
Small has competed at the national level multiple times. “It’s a lot of fun because there are so many different people there and so much talent,” she says. “Track is an individual sport, so even though you’re on a team you just want people to do well. I’m friends with a lot of people I compete with, and we’re like a big family.”
The high jump is not a top choice for track athletes, and Small often had to cast a wide net to find coaches. “I love it, so I’ve been determined to find people to help me,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate enough to find coaches in the St. Louis area who have been willing to coach me, even though I go to a different school and am competing against some of their kids. Visitation also has done a great job of helping me and being supportive and flexible.”
The collage offers an athlete gets depend on how they perform during junior year, and Small hopes to get an opportunity to continue with the high jump. “I’ve been looking at schools in the south and would love to jump and run for a college that has a strong track program and is challenging academically.”
Photo by Deborah Small
Pictured: Jordan Small