GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

From a modest beginning in sixth grade, Jordan Chester has embarked on what could be a special career.

"We had to run a mile for a physical fitness test," the Boone Grove freshman recalled. "Actually, I didn't think I could finish it."

Chester not only finished, the 12-year-old clocked a seven-minute mile, catching the attention of teacher Brian Sherwin, who encouraged her to try track in the spring.

"I'd played soccer four years before that," Chester said. "I was used to running up and down the field."

The following fall, she quickly became acquainted with running around a cross country course. Chester gave 2006 Porter County Conference champion Courtney Bennett, then a Kouts eighth-grader, her only loss of the season. In eighth grade, Chester went undefeated, a string she's extended through her first four high school races, which are 2,000 meters longer.

"She's done road races, so she's used to running (5K)," Boone coach Jori Swan-Caratini said. "She doesn't remind me of a freshman. I've never seen her have poor form. She never gets lazy. Occasionally, you get a kid who's good at distance but not speed, and she does both well, which also helps with training."

After winning her first prep invitational, the Gavit A division race, Chester was disappointed she couldn't run the AA (bigger school) race.

"She was like, 'I can't do both?'" Swan said.

It was the same question earlier this summer when Chester was deciding whether to take part in cross country, soccer or both. She's involved in both, though cross country takes priority when there is a conflict.

"I haven't really had too much trouble with it yet," she said. "I just have to handle myself properly, eat right, sleep well."

Considering she has only four runners, Swan's glad to have Chester in any way, shape or form.

"Jordan's very adaptable. She doesn't tire out easily," Swan said. "I've heard teachers talk and the soccer coach (Chad Roggow) told me, she's the kind of kid you want to have around. She just brings everyone else up."

Chester admits she's still learning about race strategy. For now, she tries to get out in front and make people catch her.

So far, so good.

"She's the kind of kid who will compete when a runner tries to pass her," Swan said. "Some kids will just let them pass. She gets where she wants to be and that's where she wants to stay."

Next Saturday's New Prairie Invitational will be Chester's biggest test to date, and she's excited to see how she fares. It'll be her first trip back to the course since last year's semistate, when she did the warm-up with then-Wolves senior Kim Matusik.

"Kim told me to run with your heart, don't ever make it a thing you don't want to do," Chester said. "I definitely want to be top three in the PCC and if at all possible, I'd like to make it to state."