Just over a month after finishing her Kennesaw State career, track and field athlete Jordan Gray set a new American all-time record at the Women’s Decathlon Association National Championships on June 22 and 23.
Although Gray specialized in the heptathlon during her time at KSU, her ambitions, skill level and continued training with former KSU track director Andy Eggerth allowed her to add three more events to her repertoire.
Gray broke a 19-year-long record for the decathlon by totaling 7,921 points in the competition, breaking numerous records and setting personal bests along the way.
She began her record-setting performance with a time of 12.16 seconds in the 100-meter dash — good enough for an American record time and just 0.01 seconds off the world record.
Later on in the competition, Gray set a world record in the long jump and finished with the best scores in other events.
As a result of her record scores, Gray was named as the USATF Athlete of the Week for the first time in her career.
“I definitely go into each event shooting for as many points as I can,” Gray said. Knowing where your strengths and weaknesses are is important, so you can have a solid plan.”
Now that Gray has become accomplished on the national stage, she will be looking to earn a spot on the United States national team, with the goal of making the women’s heptathlon team at the 2024 Olympic games.
Currently, there is not a decathlon event for women at the Olympic level, but Gray still has her sights set at breaking further records.
“I have specific goals, like breaking 6,000 points in the heptathlon at the U.S. championships,” Gray said. “It’s more so a thing I’ve been passionate about that I want to progress forward.”
With her continued success, Gray will be known as one of the most decorated and impactful athletes to have attended KSU. Her rise to success at the collegiate level was one that involved resiliency and intensity.
Gray has fought debilitating injuries and difficult circumstances to achieve what she has so far, but to her, the mission is far from complete.
“I have a great desire to do what God wants me to do to the best of my ability,” Gray said. “If I get to this next level, if I can work really hard … I also get new platforms and avenues to praise God.”
