Jordan senior Xavier Heard has talked a lot over the last month about fulfilling his family’s proud athletic history at Jordan High. There has been a long line of Heards who’ve gone through the Panther hallways in North Long Beach, many of whom have been standout athletes as well. On Saturday at the CIF-SS Division 1 Finals, Heard officially stamped his family name all over the Panthers’ record book, setting a new school record in the discus with a fourth-place mark of 161-1, which was a PR of more than 16 feet.
Heard also took second in the shot put with a heave of 53-8, which was also a PR. After that? He rushed off to get ready for Jordan’s prom, where he was voted Prom King.
“It was a great day, I went two for two again on PRs and then Prom was the cherry on top, I had a lot of fun today,” said Heard.
His progression this year in the throws has been nothing short of remarkable. Heard says the progress is the result of endless drilling on footwork techniques.
“I came right out after football and started working, and I wasn’t getting through the ring so my release wasn’t as good,” he said. “That just came with working on my mechanics.”
Heard has gained some bragging rights around his family, having beaten his dad and uncles old marks in the shot put and discus. The senior is off to Lane College where he’ll be a football player.
Boys’ Shot Put: Xavier Heard (Jordan, 2nd) 53-8
Boys’ Discus: Xavier Heard (Jordan, 4th) 161-1
PHOTOS: Long Beach Athletes At CIF-SS Division 1 Track & Field Finals
