Jordan Hamb put in the work, and she was awarded with a slew of all-time best efforts throughout the 2024 track and field season.
Let's clarify a few things regarding track and field at the youth and junior levels. Many athletes tend to soar in the off-season, particularly during the summer.
Jordan Hamb is one of those immensely talented athletes who never shies away from the most arduous tasks. For example, recently, the rising junior from Chicago South Shore International Prep competed in a variety of events over the course of a week in the 15-16 age group USATF National Junior Olympic Championships division.
The superstar in the making competes for the Chicago Windy City Hammers Track Club in the off-season and summer months.
We followed Hamb throughout the entire week on the campus of Texas A&M University, where she competed in the heptathlon, long jump, triple jump, and 100-meter high hurdles.
We asked Hamb about the importance of compartmentalizing each event, moment, day, and segment.
It was more about my mental state; I just went for it once I decided where to tune in my headspace. It wasn't only that. It was also about my hydration and appetite. I made sure I ate three meals per day and had snacks, too.
The night before, I would prepare myself emotionally and mentally for the real challenge: confidence. I was aware that I wasn't the only good out there, but I knew I could keep up.
The first event of the championships was the heptathlon.
To start with the hept, I was very wishy-washy about the idea of it because of the 800m. I ran it nice and slow; I wasn't killing myself over the 800!
But most people know that you have to get over that bump in certain things to continue the journey; other than that, I was ten toes ready for everything the heat came with. Also, the community of girls that i did the hept with was so bubbly and fun and they made the experience so much more exciting.
After earning All-American honors in the multis event, Hamb covered her bases in the long jump and 100-meter hurdles.
Now, the long jump was more like a knock-out event. I knew that I probably wasn't going to get first, but I knew that as long as I produced correctly, I would be perfectly fine, and I knew the top eight would be All-American, so it would be a win. The outcome [in perhaps my weakest event] was a massive personal best of 19'4!"
Next was the 100m hurdles. I was very confident and did not doubt myself in that event. Now, did I expect to get second place? I knew it was possible that I could get second, but it hurt just a bit. Daisha Brunson of [Hoffman Estates Conant] won 13.60-13.71w. But it was exciting to know that my competition was striving like I was.
The triple jump may be Hamb's second-best event, but she is slowly becoming incredibly good at it.
Last, the triple jump took much of my last bit of energy. I completed the prelims and went straight to hurdles finals, then back to Triple Jump finals, all with no break. I mean, I was tired! When I left from triple jump prelims to hurdles, I was in first place with a 12.26m (40'2.25"). But, when I came back, I was sitting in 4th place. I was stressed, and anxiety started to produce. So, I jumped a 12.07 and PR with a 12.41 (41'5.75"). It was an Illinois #1 mark (legal wind) and #7 all-time in state annals.
Fast-forward: I was still in fourth place because those girls could jump! It was my last event of the week, and I wanted Gold and a Ring!! So, I tried to do everything to gather myself because I was tired, but I also found out that the winning jump was 12.59, and she was sitting in first place.
I started clapping my hands to get the crowd to clap, and the pressure was on! So, I ran that last Jump, and BAM! I jumped a 12.64 and Won Gold & Got my Ring!!! I was overjoyed and cried sooooo very hard!!! At that moment I knew why Daisha was crying, it was a feeling that was amazing and i jump in a way that I never had before. And now I come back home as a four-time USATF National JO All-American Gold Medalist who succeeded after doing 14 Events!