TAMPA, Fla. — With one quick beep, this is how Berkeley Prep senior Liam Jordan starts most mornings.

“It’s just kind of a new opportunity, every time you set foot on a course and every time’s different,” Jordan said. “I find that exciting each time we wake up.”

What You Need To Know

  •  Liam Jordan is a senior at Berkeley Prep and one of the top distance runners in the state

  •  He finished third at the state championships last season

  •  Leading into his senior season, he won the 1,600 meter race at the Florida Relays

When you’re a runner, a strong work ethic is everything. It’s what separates the goods from the greats. And it’s what separates Jordan from the rest of the competition.

“He’s one of the hardest workers and trainers I’ve ever been able to coach,” Berkeley Prep head coach Erik Lipham said. “I give him a schedule — he just goes out and does it and never complains. Just goes about his business and puts it in.”

Jordan began running in the fifth grade, following in his older sister’s footsteps. He soon discovered this was a sport he thrived in and was actually very good at.

“I just kind of fell in love with the sports and the team and, of course, the coaches,” he said. “And I just kind of dropped all the other sports and took this running.”

Each year has provided an opportunity for Jordan to get better. He capped off the cross country season his junior year with a third-place finish at state. Earlier this spring, he won the 1,600-meter race at the Florida Relays. He enters his senior year as one of the top distance runners in the state.

“It’s just kind of like the last hurrah,” Jordan said. “So it’s really just an exciting opportunity to give everything one last shot. Try to be the best I can in kind of every facet of life here.”