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Landry excels in all facets

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By CLIFF GILL

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 15, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - Sunlake opened in the fall of 2007, and like most new schools, one of the challenges was the development of its athletic teams.

On the plus side, though, it allowed underclassmen to develop by playing against varsity teams from other high schools.

One athlete who developed rapidly was soccer forward Jordan Landry. According to MaxPreps.com, the 16-year-old led the state in goals scored by a freshman, and last season he was among the sophomore scoring leaders. He was an all-conference selection both years.

"Jordan has scored 40 goals and has had 16 assists at Sunlake and still has two years left to play," said Seahawks soccer coach Sam Koleduk. "He is now starting on one of the best U-17 club teams in the state (Real Salt Lake), which won the Disney National Qualifier, the Coaches/Directors League Championship and will be heading to a college showcase in North Carolina next month."

In addition to his prowess in soccer, Landry is the kicker for the Seahawks football team.

"Jordan has consistently gotten better each week of the season through his work ethic and experience," assistant football coach Sean Temple said. "One specific situation occurred a couple of weeks ago. After a kickoff, Jordan stayed with the play and made a tackle, saving his team from giving up a kickoff return for a touchdown. Even though this is a simple play in football, it showed the transformation of a soccer player kicking for a football team to a football player that also plays soccer."

Landry also excels in academics, carrying a 3.4 grade-point average and a workload that includes honors classes in English and American History. A model of consistency, he has been a member of the honor roll each semester since sixth grade.

"I give credit to my parents," Landry said. "They make sure I complete all my work when I'm at home. They also check my scores, grades and assignments online several times each week."

His parents, Keith and Karen Landry, instilled a priority system - 1. School, 2. Soccer, 3. Football and 4. Personal time - to help him make the right choices.

"They taught me the importance of getting good grades and working hard now to receive benefits later," he said.

Landry volunteers for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, setting up tents and tables for the races.

"It's a good feeling to help others who are suffering," he said.

"I have had the privilege of coaching Jordan for two years, twice in soccer and this last year in football," Temple said. "One of the first ideals that come to me reflecting on Jordan is his nature to strive to be the best."

"As a former student-athlete myself, being able to balance soccer and football with school work is as impressive as any feat on the field," Temple added. "Overall, I have watched Jordan grow as a young adult in not only his skills on his fields of play, but more importantly as a leader and student."

Teachers, coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In the Community article, contact Cliff Gill at reportercliffgill@yahoo.com or (727) 860-4903.

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