Hasay finishes season on a high note

Monday, July 14, 2008

Reported by: Andrew Masuda

CENTRAL COAST

Arroyo Grande native Jordan Hasay's unbelievable track season ended on a high note on Sunday in a huge international race. Action Sports takes a look back at her year to remember.

Sporting her trademark blonde ponytail, Jordan Hasay finished fourth in the 1,500 meter final representing the United States at the World Junior Championships in Poland.

The race was Jordan's fifth high stakes race in 11 days and the last in her historic track season.

Action Sports spoke to Jordan before she boarded her flight early Monday morning in Poland.

" I was the youngest finisher. I think the top three were all 19. So I was really happy and I thought I ran a good race," Jordan said about her final track race of the season.

The 16 year old's gained plenty of big time experience the last six weeks.

It started May 31st on a regional television broadcast when Jordan ran the second fastest 3,200 time in California history. She became only the second female runner ever to three-peat at the CIF State meet.

Two weeks later, she won the 1,500 for the second straight year at Junior Nationals in Ohio.

Then on the Fourth of July, Jordan created her own fireworks by setting a new personal and U.S. high school record for the 1,500 meter at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a time of 4:14.5.

Moments after her historic race at Hayward Field during the semifinals of the Trials, Jordan said during a tv interview, " It was incredible. I just wanted to come in here and run as fast as I could to make the final and I did. I'm so excited."

Just two days after making U.S. history, Jordan finished tenth in the final only to depart for Poland and World Juniors the following day.

That made four meets in two countries, two titles, two personal records, one national record and thousands of new admirers all in a matter of just six weeks.

" All of my goals that I wrote down at the beginning of the year I got all of them. So I am really, really happy with that and I've come a long way with my finishing speed and my race tactics. So I think I had a great year," Hasay said about her 2008 track season.

It was great year for a great runner, who will now prepare for the cross country season and her senior year at Mission Prep.

Jordan is one of the hottest college recruits in the nation. The recruitment period started July 1.

She admitted the University of Oregon scored major points thanks to the fans at the Olympic Trials.
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