Gordon Grabs Two More Wins At AAU Club Championships Before Heading To World Juniors



Daeshon Gordon calls the 2014 outdoor track and field season one of the longest of her high school career, but adds that with greatness comes more opportunities. The Northeast (Oakland Park) class of 2014 hurdler and LSU signee has been competing since early February. Gordon says the main point of attending the AAU Club Championships in Orlando this past weekend was to prepare her for the World Junior Championships two weeks from now in Eugene, Oregon.

"I wanted to get use to doing rounds of each race. Although I know I can manage it already it's still so that I can get a feel of a last minute race. Prelims were a little shaky when starting the 400 hurdles because we were not allowed any run throughs and also because of the heat.The 100 hurdles were about pressing the entire race."

Since Florida doesn't run the 400 meter hurdles in FHSAA sanctioned meets it is important for Gordon to compete in that distance as much as possible. The 4A state champion in both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles, she ran a personal best of 58.70 at 400m  to make the Jamaican team and win the Jamaican National Championships, and posted a US#4 mark of 59.14 at the AAU Club Championships. Coach Damian Thomas says lately she has been working on executing the second half of her 400 hurdles and her finish.

"Right now we are not sure if she will be doing both hurdle events or not and if she is only able to do one not sure which one it will be. It was important for her to get a 400 hurdle in because she only competed in two meets so far this year that had the 400 hurdle event.  We felt she needed one more race to be more comfortable. Her 100 meter hurdle race was pretty clean, but the headwind affected her time a little."

Gordon, who was born in Florida but has a Jamaican father says she is excited to suit up for the island nation at World Juniors.

"My coaches called me and told me that it was out on the internet.. Last year, I was suppose to represent them in World Youth, but due to late documents I was unable to. I am honored to run for them and I know that it will be a great experience."

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