JEFF FIELDER Editor
YODER, Wyo. – Jordan Stoddard, a freshman on Southeast High School’s track and field team, has been named Nspire Today!’s Female Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Stoddard has been having a sensational season, including earning the Female Athlete of the Meet plaque at the Best in the West Classic on Tuesday in Scottsbluff. She placed first in the 100, 200, high jump, and 4×400 relay.
Q: How exciting has it been to compete at the high school level?
STODDARD: “There’s a lot better competition. It’s more thrilling. I definitely feel more adrenalin while I’m running.”
Q: What did it mean to you to be named the Female Athlete of the Meet in the Best in the West Classic?
STODDARD: “Coming in, my coaches were like, ‘This is really exciting. Do your best in everything.’ I was like, ‘It feels like just another track meet.’ I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a lot of fun.”
Q: Which event were you the most excited about in the Best in the West meet?
STODDARD: “I would say the 4×400 relay. Being able to do that for the team was super exciting.” Editor’s note: Jordan ran the last leg of the 4×400 relay. She got the baton in second place but was able to make up the distance to help Southeast place first.
Q: When you got the baton, did you think you were going to be able to get in first place?
STODDARD: “All that was going through my mind was, ‘We’re going to win this.’”
Q: How did you feel at the end of the race?
STODDARD: “I felt pretty good. Being able to end the meet like that was great.”
Q: Up to this point, what’s been the highlight of your athletic career?
STODDARD: “I’m not sure. Maybe the Best in the West meet. That was pretty awesome. Competing against the best in the region and seeing where I rank was fun.”
Q: How much better do you think you can become this season?
STODDARD: “I feel like I’ve got some improvements to make, for sure. Everybody can get better. But for right now, I feel like I’m sitting in a pretty good position.”
Q: Which event do you feel like you’re the best at?
STODDARD: “I’m not sure.”
Q: Which event is your favorite?
STODDARD: “I’m not sure about that one, either. Probably the 4×400.”
Q: How much fun are you having this season?
STODDARD: “A lot. It’s a really fun sport.”
Q: You also did indoor track this year. Did that give you any indication of how your outdoor season might go?
STODDARD: “Not really because indoor track and outdoor track are way different. Everybody says indoor track is a lot harder, but I enjoy it. It’s actually easier for me because of the more controlled environment.”
Q: What are your goals for this outdoor track and field season?
STODDARD: “Keep breaking my personal records.”
Q: Have you thought about your goals for the state meet yet?
STODDARD: “No, not really. Just when it comes, I’ll give it my all.”
NOTE: Area high school students named Athlete of the Week or Student of the Week will be included in the upcoming issue of Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues), please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 60363, or call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 this month to the Golden Halo Foundation, which helps area children with long-term disabilities. Nspire Today!, a locally owned and operated business based out of Scottsbluff, focuses on positive, feel-good and inspiring content on people in the Panhandle and eastern Wyoming.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
