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Interval Session #51 - Jordan Clarke

By Dave Devine, May 1, 2008

Unless you're a close follower of prep track and field throwers, you could be forgiven for failing to recognize the name Jordan Clarke (Bartlett AK sr) right off the bat. Although he's been a national-level shot and discus talent since at least his sophomore season, and currently holds the Alaska state shot put (60-1) and discus (192-07) records from the 2007 state meet, Jordan has toiled in relative obscurity at the northern reaches of the continent. This spring, however, he's made it difficult for anyone to ignore his exploits. Until last weekend, Jordan was ranked US#1 in the shot put off the strength of his performance at the Big C Invitational, and he's poised to easily take down his own state records at the state finals later this month.

DyeStat Assistant editor Dave Devine zips up the parka, packs a few shot put-sized snowballs, and gets ready for track practice Alaska-style with one of the best ever from the Last Frontier state.


1) It's probably not easy to gain national attention when you're competing in Alaska, but you've managed to do so with some big throws which had you ranked US#1 in the shot put until last weekend. What's it been like for you, trying to establish yourself as one of the top throwers in the country, but competing somewhat outside the national spotlight?

It is hard sometimes competing against names that you see on the internet and throws you see on You-tube. I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete against other great throwers in person. All I can do is brush off the snow, lace up the shoes, and go out and throw as well as I can and as far as I can every meet. Having so few meets in Alaska makes every throw count. I just hope that I can help open some eyes to the fact that Alaska has some athletes up here too.


2) We've been hearing a little bit about the new Anchorage Dome, how it's a full 400-meter track and field facility, only indoors. Can you describe that facility, what it's like on the inside, and how it's helped track athletes in Alaska?


It is an amazing facility! We have had nothing like it in the state before and everybody really enjoys using it. It definitely beats having to jog outside constantly in 30-degree weather to feel loose in the beginning and middle of the season.


3) Despite the benefits of the Dome, I understand that the throws (shot and discus) have been contested outdoors at those Dome meets (which make your marks eligible for outdoor rankings). Is it hard to be outside doing the throws while everyone else is indoors in a warm, weather-controlled environment? Can you discuss some of the conditions you've thrown in, which may be different than what high schoolers in the Lower 48 have to deal with?

Yeah, it definitely makes things more difficult. At the start of our season we still had two feet of snow on the ground and it was about 25 degrees. You have to go warm up the shot puts under hot water because they're so cold, haha. We haven't yet had a meet in the grass yet, because of the snow, so we put up portable rings in the parking lot and compete there. The worst meet I have ever thrown in was my junior year. It was 36-degrees, 25 mph winds, and pouring down rain so hard that it soaked through my $200 waterproof snowboarding jacket. With snow on the ground.

4) Sounds like it's been a rough start to the season, with a slate of meets canceled last weekend after Anchorage got hit with heavy snow. How do you stay sharp without many meets, and has the long winter affected your training, goals or preparation?

It can be really difficult to stay focused. Our season consists of about 7-8 meets, usually half (at least) have snow on the ground. During the off-season I try my best to just work on footwork, since I'm unable to throw outside to keep my muscles in the groove. Other than that, I lift a lot of weights to stay in shape and to get stronger. It does get irritating sometimes, because I feel strapped down in the cold and feel as if there is a barrier that holds me back from my goals and performing as well as I think I could have the capability to perform.

5) You excel in both the shot put and the discus, but do you prefer one more than the other? If you could focus exclusively on one, which would it be, and why?

I enjoy throwing both events. It's hard to pick one specifically, but if I'm throwing one better than the other at a particular time, I'd rather throw the one that I'm doing better in.

6) Not having had a chance to see you throw, can you talk briefly about your approach to each event? What are your strengths and weaknesses as a thrower? Do you put the shot from the spin or the glide? What's your coaching situation like? Do you work with a school coach, an outside coach, or both?

I'm a rotational shot putter. Before each meet I put my headphones on to get pumped up. I also do a lot of stretching and jogging to warm up. I have a lot of things in both events I need to focus on. My main problems are that I tend to rush out the back and open up too early before my release. I have a school coach named Kyle Lucey; he has helped me so much, beyond what words can even describe. If it wasn't for him none of this would have been possible. I thank him for everything when it comes to throwing.

7) What's the strangest non-track-related thing you've ever thrown for distance?

I haven't really gotten asked to throw random objects, but we do throw a lot of snowballs at each other haha.

8) If you had a few days to show me the best parts of Alaska, where would you take me and what would we do?

I would for sure bring you to see Mt. Denali, it is amazing. We would also go fishing and tour through Seward, Fairbanks, and our state capital of Juneau. Even I havent seen Juneau before, and I've lived here my whole life. You have to take a plane to fly in. I would also take you snowboarding if you were game.


Photos: Clarke Family


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