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Memorial Jr. High’s Jordyn Clark finds podium in state track tournament

Seventh-grader makes third place finish after narrowly qualifying for state tournament

By Josh Bootsma

LANSING, Ill. (June 1, 2022) – Seventh-grader Jordyn Clark ended her track season this year with a third place finish at the Illinois Elementary School Association State Meet in late May.

Clark, a student at Memorial Junior High, took third place in the girls long jump event at the state competition, earning her top-three placement in the 4-A division, which includes the largest districts in the state.

Clark’s jump was 15 feet and 3.5 inches, significantly farther than her 14 feet and 8 inch jump at the sectional meet, which was the minimum to qualify for state. Of the 22 competitors coming into the event, Clark was seeded near the bottom of the pack, at 18th. She finished well above that mark, earning a third place medal.

Coach Jeremiah Faughn said Clark’s goal was to break 15 feet at the event, which she did with inches to spare.

“I think she was very happy that she was able to do that. And obviously, placing third in state, she was very happy about that,” Faughn said, who started coaching track at Memorial in 2019. He said no Memorial track and field athletes have appeared at the state tournament since 2019 when multiple events appeared.

Clark, who Faughn describes as “quiet and reserved,” has now finished her seventh grade year, meaning she has the opportunity to continue her success next school year.

Memorial Jr. High School is located at 2721 Ridge Road.

Josh Bootsma
Josh Bootsma
Josh is Managing Editor at The Lansing Journal and believes in the power and purpose of community news. He covers any local topics—from village government to theatre, from business openings to migratory birds.