by Cliff Mehrtens



DAVIDSON – Jordan Brown’s speed is taking him places, and not just in 100- and 200-meter increments.

Brown, a sophomore sprinter at Davidson Day and an accomplished AAU runner, is among the nation’s top athletes vying for a spot in the 2013 World Youth Championships in the Ukraine.

Brown’s  candidacy is based on his 2011 times. The nation’s best will compete this summer, and the top two or three finishers in each event will be chosen for the international event in the Ukraine.

Brown is a contender in three sprints. In the 100 meters, his time of 10.91 seconds is fourth (the leader is 10.73). Last week, Brown set a personal record by running a 10.84.

“I know I can shave even more time off that,” he said. “I think I can do a 10.6.”

In the 200, Brown also ranks fourth nationally. His time of 21.90 seconds is less than a half-second from the nation’s best. His 400-meter time of 49.56 ranks 10th.

Brown began running at age 5. He said the sprints always intrigued him. He runs for the school team and in AAU events for the Charlotte Panthers, the squad coached by his father, Larry Brown.

“Jordan has put in a lot of hard work,” Larry Brown said. “His hard work and dedication have made him good. Jordan is a quiet, laid-back guy. He doesn’t do a lot of yelling, but I know he’s excited about (the chance at an international event) and motivated about it because he’s talking about it. Just being in the selection group is quite an achievement.”

Brown has won numerous meets and medals in his career, but broke onto the national scene at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in Greensboro last summer.

Brown finished fourth in the Emerging Elite 200-meter dash and sixth in the 100 meters.

That came after Brown, then a freshman, finished second in the 100 and 200 at the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1A/2A state meet. This year, he’s favored in both events.

In 2011, Brown was named to the New Balance and AAU All-American teams in the 100 and 200 meters and was an all-state football selection. He played running back and kick returner for the Patriots’ 11-1 squad that won a state championship in its first varsity season last fall.

“I love the fact that in track, it’s a competition,” Jordan Brown said. “It’s different than football, where you have teammates and you have to rely on each other. In track, it’s you against another person and the clock. That’s all.”

Larry Brown said Jordan has improved his strength and concentration, which has resulted in improved times. Competing in the 400 (a quarter-mile) has made Jordan better in the 100 and 200, Larry Brown said.

“You also have to be mentally strong, and Jordan is,” Larry Brown said. “In AAU, you’re competing with the same kids over and over, you’re running in the heat and you’re running in meets almost every week. You definitely have to be mentally strong to run track.”