Sac Joaquin Section Runners of the Week
October 15th-20th, 2007
by Joe Hartman

SJS Runners of the Week

Jordan Burke

Our Girls Runner of the Week in the SJS is Jordan Burke, a senior at Placer High School. While her improvement during her career could be described as more methodical than spectacular, Jordan was a very good distance runner for the Hillgals literally from the word 'go'. And she has only gotten better. In fact, her prep running resume' is more like a blueprint of how a coach would want a freshman to improve.
It became clear in October of 2004 that - despite having two consecutive 3rd place finishes at state in '02 and '03 - the Placer Hillgals had something special going on during Jordan's freshman year. With Jordan running 19:46 (team #4), Placer won the 2004 D3 state title - which makes Jordan the only current runner in the SJS in either girls' track or cross county with a state championship. But not the only titleist on her team. Caty O'Conner (Placer's #3 runner) is a state snowboarding champion.
Jordan has made the state meet every November (individually in 2005) and this year's squad is right on target for another berth. Jordan finished 28th in the state with a 19:10 time her sophomore year and found the podium last year for a second time as she took 9th statewide in D3 with an 18:47 time. Her D3 section placings have shown similar improvement: from 6th to 5th to 4th to possibly even lower this year.
Jordan's consistency and resilience is not lost on Placer head coach Randall Fee who has engineered this ascent. "Jordan is one of those very rare girl runners who improves every year throughout their high school career. Her approach to her running is almost business-like in nature. She shows up everyday, does her workouts with intensity, and then enjoys her many friends. Jordan is very good about doing her stretching, ice baths, and eating healthy to maintain a healthy and injury-free body."
Jordan is having a fine season so far in 2007 with a 5th place at Granite Bay, 2nd at Rocklin, 2nd at Bronco (small sch.) and a 19:03 time at Stanford (just outside the top ten in the D3 race.) The upward progress shows no sign of slowing down and that's very good news for her next coach. "Jordan's success in running will only continue to improve at the college level," says Coach Fee. "She is currently being … recruited by UNR, USF, and Humboldt."


Brandon Waddell

Brandon Waddell, a senior at Sheldon HS is the SJS Boys Runner of the Week. Brandon is in the midst of his best season, and in fact, a fine season in general for the Sheldon boys. Sheldon is currently ranked 7th overall in the SJS and the 3rd-ranked team in Division 1. The Huskies are getting huge seasons from both Spencer Christy (15th at Stanford, 16:20) and Mitchell Milligan (5th at Bronco Lg School). James Sconyers, Leim Nguyen, and Mark Johnson are right in the mix at every race too.
But more often than not, it's Brandon Waddell who has been 'top dog' for the Huskies. He kicked off the season winning the Lodi Flames Invite on September 5th, and really hasn't let up. Brandon was a decent 14th at Lagoon Valley but came up absolutely huge at the Nevada Union large school race. His 6th place finish there broke up the Woodcreek top three, and that is no small feat with the Timberwolves running the way they are. While he may not have been thrilled with his 16:40 at Stanford in the D1 race, he more than atoned a week later with a 16:06 school Woodward Park record at Clovis. In his one and only league meet so far, Brandon was 2nd, eight seconds behind winner Kyle Lackner of Jesuit.
"Brandon has been a very self-motivated athlete, and one of our most improved this year," notes Sheldon coach Glenn Rogers. "He's always been dedicated and receptive to our workouts, but the biggest difference I've seen in Brandon this year, has been the intensity he's brought to our workouts."
Last year Brandon was 20th at the D1 section finals with a time of 17:44. The graduation of 9 seniors in front of him, some intense training, and a boost in confidence have led to much bigger possibilities for 2007.
Coach Rogers adds, "His 1st place finish at our first meet of the cross country season, the Lodi Flame Invitational, was a huge confidence builder for him. So far this year, Brandon has broke our school records on 3 courses: the Nevada Union Invitational (16:47), Woodward Park (16:06), and Granite Regional Park (15:13). I expect more records from Brandon before the season is over."


DyeStatCal: What is the main reason you run competitively?
Jordan: The main reason I run competitively is I absolutely love running and my teamates and I have sooo much fun!
Brandon: The main reason I run competitively is I really like the challenge it imposes on me. I like to push myself and see what I can do. The races I go to really allow me to do that.

DyeStatCal: Of all your high school races, which one was most memorable?
Jordan: My most memorable race would have to be the 2004 state meet when Placer won state!
Brandon: My most memorable race was last week at the Clovis Invitational in Fresno. I ran my fastest time ever there. It is an awesome course.

DyeStatCal: What's the best advice you have for someone new to your team?
Jordan: My best advice for someone new on my team would be to just run, no pressure, and mostly have fun.
Brandon: To any new runners, I would say to bear through the first couple weeks of training. Getting into shape is hard; but just have fun and don't take doing well so seriously in the beginning. It takes time to get better.

DyeStatCal: Which meet(s) are you looking forward to the most this year?
Jordan: I'm really excited about and looking forward to the state meet this year.
Brandon: I am really looking forward to Sections. It is going to be a really tough race. Both Jesuit and Davis are going to be really tough to beat, so I am eager to see what's going to happen.

DyeStatCal: What's your current favorite pre-race warm-up song?
Jordan: My favorite pre race warm-up song would have to be 'Le Disko' by Shiny Toy Guns... It's excellent!
Brandon: My MP3 player doesn't work, so I don't listen to music before my race. Usually, when warming up, my team and I just talk about the race and what we have to do. We also mess around sometimes.

DyeStatCal: What's your favorite food when the coach isn't looking?
Jordan: My favorite food when my coach isn't looking is definitely Taco Bell!
Brandon: When coach isn't looking, I love French Fries. They are the best food ever!

DyeStatCal: What's the place outside of California you would most like to visit.
Jordan: I would love to take a trip to Italy.
Brandon: I went to Maui over spring break and I absolutely loved it. I want to go back ASAP.

DyeStatCal: The one thing that would surprise us the most about Jordan Burke is….
Jordan: I have a car named TATONKA!!!

DyeStatCal: The one thing that would surprise us the most about Brandon Waddell is….
Brandon: Something about me is that I am a really laid back person. I don't sweat the little stuff and I don't let things bother me. If something bad happens in my race, or in school, I don't "lose sleep over it." I just enjoy having fun and I try to make the best of things, no matter what.

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