As she prepares for her final season of track and field for the University of Washington, Jordin Seekins is ready to let that javelin fly.
“Coming off indoors and all my training, I feel really good about everything that is about to happen,” said the 22-year-old team captain from Washougal. “I want my teammates to compete with fire and passion for the school. You can’t step into the circle or on the runway and be scared. You have to be confident in your ability to be a good thrower.”
Seekins qualified for the NCAA West Prelims the last two seasons. The goal for her senior season is to make it to the NCAA Championships June 6 to 8, at Autzen Stadium, in Eugene, Ore. Size has been a disadvantage for Seekins since high school, but she makes up for it with hard work and determination.
“The girls just keep getting bigger, while I’ve pretty much stayed the same size,” she said. “Nobody cares about how tall you are. The only thing that matters is how far you throw. I wanted a challenge, and that’s why I came up here.”
By improving her strength and throwing technique, Seekins harnessed her newfound potential. She finished in fourth place at the Pepsi Invitational last April with a personal best mark of 145 feet, 1 inch.
“Pepsi has probably been my best meet,” Seekins said. “It was a breakthrough day for me.”
In the weeks that followed, Seekins increased her personal best to 145-11 and then 146-6. She finally got her groove back.
“In high school, I just wanted to make it to the state meet. But in college, every meet feels like a state meet,” Seekins said. “There’s so much higher you can go. Every throw counts. I’ve kind of adapted to that mentality.”
Seekins remains an avid fan of Washougal track and field, and for good reason. After she led the girls team to their first league championship in 17 seasons, the Panthers have won their league the last four years in a row. Seekins hopes that tradition continues.
“Those girls work hard every day, and they’re setting a good example for the younger girls coming in,” Seekins said. “I’m glad I still have the support from people back home. I’ve always been that small town Washougal girl. That hasn’t really changed.”
Life is going to change for Seekins once she graduates from UW on June 13. She is finishing up her major in American Indian studies and minor in history studies. She is also applying to become a forest firefighter.
“It matches my personality,” she said. “The danger aspect appeals to me. I love working in a team and being out in the woods. I’ve really missed the forest since moving to a big city.”
Washougal will always be a place for Seekins to come home to, but she is seeking the next challenge in her life.
“I’ll be out of college and not tied down to anything, so I think I might want to explore a little bit,” she said. “Traveling with this team has opened my eyes to what’s out there. It’s kind of where the wind blows at this point.”
Or where the javelin lands.
