Kayle Jordan has let her actions do the talking for much of her high school career. Graduating this year as one of the most decorated girls track athletes in program history, Jordan has been on college radars for a while. Her résumé speaks for itself as she signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her track career with Purdue University Northwest. Even if some people don't get her first name correct.
Jordan has been a force in the throwing events since she walked onto campus as a freshman. Working both shot put and discus events, Jordan earned All-NECC First Team honors in her first year, then in the state tournament, garnered a first place in shot put in the sectional and runner-up in discus. A pair of top-threes in the regional sent Jordan to state, where she finished top 20 in both events, setting the tone for what would be a tremendous throws career.
Jordan would continue to dominate in shot put, earning NECC titles then sweeping the shot put titles at the sectional level all four seasons, including this past Tuesday at the East Noble Sectional despite being called 'Kayla' by the throws starter for most of the night. Jordan would finish third in discus in the regional as a sophomore to reach the state finals again, where she placed 28th in Bloomington.
Jordan, a four-time All-NECC First Teamer and the school record holder in the shot put (42-4.25), is determined to continue that momentum at the college level.
“At this point, I’m just focused on what I need to work on,” Jordan said at her signing ceremony Wednesday. “We’re always off on the side away from the track, and really, we kinda enjoy that. It was the same with finding a college. I know what I’m good at, and know I have to work on it anyways, so I just needed to find a fit that worked best for what I can do and what school fits that. Purdue Northwest was that fit for me.”
Meeting with the coaching staff at Purdue Northwest, led by head coach Zach Hoover, the intent is to continue with throws, but to also possibly add in some of the non-traditional high school events such as hammer throw.
“I know that coach Hoover is a super nice guy and they are excited to have me join the team,” Jordan said. “I went to a throwing camp, and their throws coach was one of the coaches. When I did a campus visit there, they recognized me. (Throws coach Mark Harsha) said, ‘Hey, I remember you, you had a really nice camp.’ He was excited to find out I was coming to contribute to their program.”
Academically, Jordan is stepping into an accounting major, hoping to filter in some marketing classes and see where that takes her. Earlier on Wednesday, Jordan was honored with the Marines Award for Academic and Athletic Excellence, given to just two students in the senior class as a definition of overall character and ability.