Jordyn Bruce
Few athletes have displayed versatility and talent across multiple disciplines like Eagle River’s Jordyn Bruce.
From a seven-time state medalist in high school to a talented multi-event collegian, Bruce has now ascended the ladder as a professional track and field athlete, recently signing a deal with Lululemon as a brand ambassador. And soon she will make her international debut, taking on the women’s decathlon in France.
Bruce, who also excelled as a swimmer at Eagle River, started making waves during her freshman season in track and field, where she placed third at the state meet in 800, in addition to helping her team to a fourth-place finish in the 4×800 relay.
The dual-athlete continued to build her toolset, picking up the 300 hurdles during her sophomore year and taking bronze at the state meet, before adding the 100 hurdles junior year.
Her final season for the Wolves was show-stopping, placing in the top four during every race she contested, which included seven different events and two relays.
The momentum continued at the state meet, where Bruce earned her first state title in the 100 hurdles, picked up a runner-up finish in the 300 hurdles, and placed third in the 200. Not to mention, all three events had preliminary heats the day prior.
Her times in the 100 hurdles (14.85) and 300 hurdles (43.80) still stand as the second-fastest-known performer in Alaska history among prep athletes.
Bruce winning 100 hurdles state title.
After a stellar career at Eagle River, Bruce took her talents to Illinois State, where she found success in the multi-events and 400 hurdles.
With each season, Bruce continued to climb the ladder, placing higher in championship meets and finding consistency in her main events.
Perhaps the highlight of Bruce’s collegiate career came during her penultimate meet at the Missouri Valley Championships, where she won both the heptathlon (5,439 points) and 400 hurdles (58.80), took third in the 100 hurdles (13.75), and earned MVP of the meet, obliterating her personal bests in all three events.
After graduating from Illinois State in 2021, Bruce has continued to challenge herself within track and field, competing in meets in multi-events and open events during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
But it was not always easy.
Bruce competing in the high jump.
In 2022, Bruce dealt with injuries after posting strong performances at the Bryan Clay and Long Beach Invitationals, where she came close to her collegiate bests in the heptathlon and 400 hurdles. She ultimately ended her season early, turning to the pool for cross-training before she could return to the track.
Bruce made her national debut at the USATF Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, competing in the pentathlon this past February. And while the performance may have been underwhelming for Bruce, she was headed in the right direction.
The outdoor season has already started playing into her strengths, placing runner-up in the 400 hurdles at the Bobcat Invitational and fourth in the heptathlon at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
On June 12, Bruce announced her signing with Lululemon as a brand ambassador.
“I cannot express how grateful and excited I am to begin this new journey with their love and support,” shared Bruce on Instagram. “To have a community that supports women’s athletics in such a positive light has made this one of the most rewarding experiences.”
Throughout her career, Bruce has been ambitious, and with her professional career just beginning, she stays motivated for the future of her profession.
She plans to expand her repertoire by competing in her first decathlon — an event gaining traction on the women’s side — in France on July 22-23, which will also double as her international debut.