Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year: Maddox Jordan

If Noble High School cross country coach Sarah Stowell could change one thing about Maddox Jordan, she would make him meaner.

Not very long. Just when he was playing.

“He had an amazing personality and was very, very nice to everyone, including his competitors,” Stowell said. “I told him ‘Maddox, I need to be a little more aggressive, a little more competitive in this game. Turn this good thing off (for a few minutes).”

It didn’t work. In October at the Class A South Sectional meet at Twin Creeks Recreation Area, Stowell was standing at the mile mark, ready to give Jordan a break, when she realized Jordan was racing against fellow competitor Nathan Blades (via senior fellow at Portland High School) had an in-depth conversation while they were leading the game.

Stowell sighed. The Blades won that game before Jordan discovered he had mononucleosis.

Two weeks later, Jordan bounced back in Belfast to win the Class A state meet in 15:42, the fastest time of the day regardless of grade. He then led the Maine team by finishing sixth at the New England Championships in Belfast with a time of 15 minutes and 42 seconds.

In late September, he finished second at the Festival of Champions with a time of 15:30, the fastest time by a Maine student in the fall.

Jordan was selected as our Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year at the University of Maine.

Since Noble failed to qualify as a team for the state meet, Jordan competed alone. It was his fifth consecutive individual title in Class A sports. In February, he won the 800 meters and mile in the indoor track and field events, and in June he won the 800 meters and 1,600 meters in the outdoor track and field events.

“Maddox is very easy to train,” Stowell said. “He does have a huge talent, but he really capitalizes on it because of his ability to take feedback and turn it into something. “He’s really good at working out and no matter how he’s feeling that day, he’s going to deliver Any representation you request. “

Danny Lawrence, now the athletic director at Massachusetts, served as Jordan’s track and field and cross country coach at Noble. Lawrence said what was remarkable about Jordan was his ability to follow a set long-term plan, not just for one season but for his entire high school career.

“Maddox is the only guy I’ve ever worked with who’s been able to keep going,” Lawrence said. “He always saw his future.”

The season didn’t exactly go as planned. Bad weather canceled some early games and he needed two weeks off to recover from a hip problem before a sore throat turned into mononucleosis. Jordan suspected that a long preseason could lead to irritation and swelling after a leisurely summer.

“It’s kind of on the edge of injury,” he said. “I do think it will work out for the best by the end of the year, but it would be a little better if I didn’t have these (setbacks).”

Jordan grew up with parents who competed in triathlons. His older sister, Grace, practiced gymnastics before pursuing a career in soccer and track for Noble. Maddox followed the fitness route and ran his first 5K road race in kindergarten. His mum started a running club at his North Berwick primary school.

Jordan played football, hockey and wrestling, but all of those sports gradually gave way to running.

“I discovered at a young age that I was good at it,” he said. “Long distance running is very relaxing.”

He also skis in the winter and surfs in the summer. He was a lifeguard at Ogunquit Beach. Having hobbies other than running can help prevent burnout, he said. Jordan and a few friends created an Instagram account (@caughtboarding) where they sell shirts and sweatshirts they designed.

He will continue his running career at the University of Rhode Island, where he plans to study aquaculture and fisheries.

“I really like the whole ocean aspect of it,” he said. “I want to get a degree in something that interests me. Being able to run for a team in college is a big goal. “I’m really excited about it. “