Jordan Lesansee, a sophomore at
Albuquerque Academy, comes from a long line of distance runners, dating back to both grandfathers, his father and four older brothers.
Though he was most interested in basketball as a youngster - and not at all impressed by running - he exploded onto the scene this spring and just last weekend ran state-bests of 4 minutes, 24 seconds in the 1600 meters and 9:32.4 in the 3200. Take away the altitude factor and his times could have been 4:18 and 9:15, respectively.
Veteran Academy coach Adam Kedge calls his rising star "clearly the best" of the Lesansee family.
Jordan Lesansee, Albuquerque Academy
Photo courtesy of Rod Stanopiewicz
Jordan says simply, "That's what the times say."
Kedge has watched his young protege closely since he was in sixth grade.
He pointed out, "He was a fair runner but he wasn't outstanding. Over the past four years he really has progressed. He's worked really hard, been patient and faithful in his training. He has a fun and calm demeanor. It wasn't until this winter that he really took off. He increased his training load and it gave him a lot of confidence."
As expected, Jordan began running in second grade and placed third in the state during the USATF Junior Olympics while running for the Albuquerque Track Club.
However, he admitted, "I wasn't that interested in it. I didn't see the point in it. I wanted to play baseball and basketball. I got away from it until sixth grade track and even then I wanted to get in shape for basketball."
But things were happening in his life that continued to guide him back to distance running. His father, Eldred, said that Jordan had some physical problems that did not begin clearing up until around seventh or eighth grade.
He related, "When he was young, Jordan suffered from severe asthma. He had numerous attacks just playing outside. Wind and pollen season (were especially bad for him). What we saw was a competitor and willingness to work hard. He overcame asthma and got off his medicine. One thing that helped him a lot was his strong faith in God."
Jordan's own analysis goes like this: "I just started focusing on running and taking it seriously in middle school. I was kind of chubby and lost my baby fat. I started doing three long runs a week in eighth grade - nothing crazy."
Jordan had given up football following a concussion in seventh grade and got more serious about track, clocking a fine 5:11 in the 1600. He ran JV cross country in eighth grade. That spring he had a goal of making the state qualifying time in the 3200 (10:08).
He related, "I wrote on a little note card (10:08) and pinned it on the wall above my bed."
Possibly even surprising himself, he ran a 10-flat.
Jordan Lesansee, Albuquerque Academy
Photo courtesy of Rod Stanopiewicz
"I didn't know how fast that was," he confessed. "I qualified for state and finished 12th. I saw all the good runners at state and the look (of surprise) on their faces. That encouraged me."
In ninth grade he made the varsity cross country team. He was the Academy's No. 3 runner most of the year, but was injured before the state meet and finished 21st (in Class 4A) after hoping for a top-10 berth.
Highly motivated by his cross country disappointment, Jordan joined the Wings of America, a native American club. Running the 8K for the first time during the USA Cross Country Championships in Boulder, Colo. - and being the youngest (14) in a field full of collegians - he placed 21st with a superb time of 26:57.
His Wings coach, Dustin Martin, said, "I'm very impressed by his dedication and willingness to work. I'm excited to watch him develop. I came to workouts with him early in the morning (6 a.m.). It takes a lot of dedication. I told him I don't think I'd have been out here (when he ran for the Academy) and I was pretty good. I don't know if I'd have had that extra motivation."
In ninth-grade track he placed third in the state in the 3200 with a time of 9:43 and was fourth in the 1600 in 4:28. He celebrated with a burger and milkshake.
With confidence overflowing, Jordan began his sophomore cross country campaign "hoping to be No. 1 in New Mexico. But things didn't go so well. I was No. 1 on my team but only No. 8 in the state (Class 5A). I think I was tired that day."
He again ran for Wings at Boulder and again was the youngest in the national field at age 15. This time he placed 24th in 27:31.
His state-leading track times set last week found him making a drastic change in his pre-race strategy.
"I usually start out slow and make my way up the pack," he explained. "That weekend I went all out. I just realized that I can only get fast times if I take it out myself. I can't let others set the pace."
Jordan is more than a runner. He is a two-year member of the Academy's Bible Club and has played guitar since sixth grade.
Even though he quit basketball, he can't get it out of his blood and still plays pick-up games. A slight knee injury brought down the wrath of his track coaches, he admitted. His favorite player is Kevin Durant.
Though he stands 5-foot-9 and weighs just 136 pounds, his nickname is "Fat J," probably a reference to his "chubby" days growing up.
With the state meet just a couple weeks away, Jordan has his sights set on the school record of 9:16.55 in the 1600. Coach Kedge projects that his young star will contend for two state titles as long as he has "good health and a happy spirit."
Cheered on by a big family fan base, Jordan has made a promise to himself.
He related, "Though they were not as successful as they wanted to be, I want to run for my brothers."
