Running has always come so naturally and freely to me.

Jordan Coleman

By Kiara Amaya

Senior Track and Field athlete, Jordan Coleman, recently announced he has committed to Harvard University’s Track and Field team. A passionate runner, Coleman chose Harvard to embark on the next chapter of his Track and Field journey, one out of the eight schools that scouted him that he seriously considered. These schools consisted of Boston University, Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford, and more.

Coleman began his running career at eight years old, sparked by family tradition. However, it wasn’t until his freshman year that Coleman started to take the sport very seriously.

“After my freshman Track season, I went on a trip to Hawaii,” Coleman said. “I found myself missing Track and Field. I missed exercising, and I missed the sport. I was watching the 2021 Olympics and I realized that’s what I want to be. I want to be on that stage with them. That’s when I realized that I wanted to go to a D1 college and have the experience to be able to make it into the pro Track and Field world. That’s when the gear switched and I realized that I wanted to make something out of this. The first step is going to a D1 college and training there.”

Coleman’s newfound ambition, ignited by the allure of the Olympics, transformed his perspective on his running journey. The desire to stand on the global stage alongside elite athletes became a driving force.

Despite these lofty aspirations, Coleman still finds solace and joy in the sport and running seamlessly transitions from an intense pursuit to a source of comfort.

“It has been a space for me to be myself,” Coleman said. “I get joy and adrenaline from running and competing. I’ve always just loved the sport as a whole. Over the years I’ve continued getting better and it’s been growing as a passion of mine as one of the biggest parts of my life.”

The deep connection to running not only stems from its inherent joys but also has an impact on his life. Beyond the track, Coleman has a strong support system both in school and at home.

His family in particular stands out as a pillar of encouragement, allowing him to persevere through adversity and grow as an athlete

“My family has been some of my biggest supporters,” Coleman said. “They are amazing in every way. My support system has allowed me to get where I am. I’ve had great coaches, especially at Granada. I’ve also had teammates who have really pushed me to grow in the sport. My closest friends have allowed me to feel loved in the sport and make me feel supported overall.”

Coleman’s passion and his family’s support helped him ultimately choose Harvard University as the institution where he will continue to grow both academically and professionally for the next four years.

This reflects his high school journey of being both an athlete and an International Baccalaureate (IB) student.

“What ultimately made me choose Harvard is the community and the people,” Coleman said. “I toured a lot of different schools, met a lot of different coaches, and met a lot of different people. All these schools had great programs and many had great olympian coaches and amazing academics.”

The connectedness that Coleman felt with the community at Harvard during his tour helped him envision a family and home on the campus

“What was special about Harvard is that I felt very connected to the people,” Coleman said. “I felt like they could be my family for the next four years. The other recruits who I was on the trip with were so friendly. I felt that there could be this sense of brotherhood for the next four years at Harvard University.”

Coleman exemplifies dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the sport of track and field. This exceptional achievement represents his hard work as a student-athlete.

As he continues to pursue his goal of becoming an Olympian, he serves as an inspiration and exemplifies the dedicated nature of a true competitor.