Savidge honored as state's top track athlete

Smith Valley's Jordan Savidge has been honored as the 2005 Gatorade Nevada State Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

Savidge is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year, which will be awarded in the coming weeks.

Savidge recorded season bests of 16 feet, three inches in the pole vault, which is the all-time best mark in Nevada; 22-8 1/2 in the long jump; 11.13 seconds in the 100 and 22.18 in the 200. He won all four events at the NIAA 1A State Championships and in the pole vault he posted a state meet record of 16-0.

He was named the Athlete of the Week by the Reno Gazette Journal, News 4 KTVN and the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association. He also earned letters in football and basketball.

In the classroom, Savidge maintained a 4.0 grade point average. He is active in visiting the elderly in care facilities and participating in community clean-up efforts.

In addition, Savidge competed in the pole vault in the prestigious national meet, the Golden West Invitational. Among the schools recruiting Savidge include Arizona, Kansas, Sacramento State and Washington.

"Jordan will become a great asset to an collegiate program - not only as an athlete, but as a citizen as well," Smith Valley track coach Jim Gleason said. "Jordan has a big heart and is very humble. He often gives advice not just to his teammates, but also his competition."

Criteria for the award includes athletic achievement, academic performance and overall character.