Freshman Daeshon Gordon has become one of the elite young hurdlers in the country during her first season at LSU.
After being heavily recruited in high school, Gordon burst onto the national collegiate scene, earning All-Freshman Southeastern Conference honors, announced after her performance in the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 28.
Gordon is one of seven Lady Tigers to qualify for the 2015 NCAA Division I indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Gordon said although she was just beginning her career at LSU, she had lofty short-term goals.
“My main goal for my freshman season was to make it to nationals,” Gordon said. “Being a freshman and making it that far makes me feel accomplished because it shows all the hard work I put in during the fall season paid off.”
Gordon grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and became fascinated with running track in middle school. She said she enjoyed racing the boys at her elementary school during field day and was encouraged by her teachers to run competitively.
For Gordon, what started as an enjoyable way to pass the time in middle school became her passion in high school. She also knew it could help her secure a better future.
“When I got to high school, I was still in training, but I was great at it and loved doing it,” Gordon said. “I found the right coach and she let me know that this wasn’t for fun anymore. This is business and this is what’s going to get me to college.”
At LSU, Gordon said she has enjoyed a great team atmosphere and has benefited highly from her new teammates. Specifically, she said she looks up to junior sprinter and
hurdler Chanise Chase, who has pushed her and kept her focused.
“Ever since I got here, I noticed she was a hard worker and that put me in a good mindset,” Gordon said. “She reminded me that just because you PR [Personal Record] doesn’t mean that you’ll get anywhere and you always have to keep working hard.”
Gordon also credited her collegiate success to her twin brother, Deron. Not only did the twins both run track in high school, but they competed in the same events, allowing them to critique and push each other every week.
“My brother was a big inspiration to me throughout high-school,” Daeshon said. “He always reminded me that I was as good as anyone I lined up with, and he always inspired me because he pushed himself just like I did.”
Daeshon is accompanied by fellow freshmen Aleia Hobbs and Mikiah Brisko as they attempt to end their seasons with a national championship. The Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville is familiar territory for Daeshon, who recorded her first collegiate victory at the venue earlier this season.
You can reach Mario Jerez on Twitter @MJerezIII_TDR.