“Nobody Was With Me”: 20-Year-Old Track and Field Makes Bitter Confession After Shutting Down Critics with SEC Championship

There’s always that one moment in a championship meet when the track goes quiet, not because it’s empty, but because someone just made so much noise, the crowd’s still catching its breath. That moment hit at the 2025 SEC Outdoor Championships, when a 20-year-old track and field athlete from the University of Alabama, already known in SEC circles but still largely underestimated on the national stage, turned his lane into a launchpad. In one unforgettable weekend, he scorched a 9.95 in the 100m to break his school record, then stunned everyone with a 19.93 in the 200m final. Two events. Two wins. Two statements loud and clear.

The 200m especially flipped the script. For months, critics had Jordan Anthony pegged as a short-distance guy, dangerous over 60m or 100m, but not built for the curve. His indoor season hadn’t helped quiet the noise either, with misfortune and missed finals only fueling the doubters. But all of that changed in Fayetteville. In the SEC 200m final, he tore through the curve and charged home to a stunning 19.93 victory, ahead of Auburn’s Makanakaishe Charamba (20.08) and LSU’s Jaiden Reid (20.15). It wasn’t just a win; it was a declaration.

And this track and field star made sure people heard him: “People thought I couldn’t run a 200 indoors and had a little misfortune… Nobody was with me. Now look at me.” Then came the real mic-drop: “I had to dig on the curve since I got out of the car… Nobody was pushing me… Yeah, OK, I got this in the back.” That wasn’t arrogance; it was release. It was a 20-year-old clapping back at doubt with performance, not talk.

“People thought I couldn’t run a 200m…look at me now.”

Jordan Anthony after running 19.93 to win SECspic.twitter.com/qMJKj6lPAd

— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) May 18, 2025

So, yes, Razorback Jordan Anthony claims the men’s Commissioner Trophy with 21.5 points from his 100m & 200m victory sweep as well as anchoring the 4x100m relay to third place. In the 100m final, he stopped the clock at 9.95 seconds, holding off Auburn’s Kanyinsola Ajayi (10.01) and LSU’s Jelani Watkins (10.02) in a tightly contested race.

The win marked the completion of an SEC sprint sweep, following his 60m indoor title earlier in the season. He didn’t just win; he owned every phase of the race. And with a 200m time dipping under 20 seconds, he’s officially expanded his range and erased the “one-dimensional” label for good. So, who exactly is rising track and field star Jordan Anthony?

Despite losing his father, a 20-year-old track and field star keeps his big dreams alive

Well, this guy’s story starts way before he blew up the track this season. Born in California but raised in the small town of Tylertown, Mississippi, Jordan was already turning heads in track and field with times that made people say, “Wait, who’s that?” He wasn’t just fast; he was next-level fast. With a 10.14 in the 100m and a blazing 20.35 in the 200m, he ranked among the best high school sprinters in the nation, putting him alongside big names like Noah Lyles. And indoors?

He crushed it with a 20.64 200m, placing him near the top of all-time lists. He wasn’t just winning local meets either; he took home the 2022 USATF U20 200m crown and dominated at big events like the Nike Indoor Nationals. By his junior year, he was unstoppable, undefeated in eleven 100m finals and stacking state titles like trophies on a shelf. But Jordan’s journey didn’t stop there.

Once he hit college, he kept raising the bar; no freshman had ever made it to the NCAA 60m final like he did in 2023, snatching silver with a mind-blowing 6.54 seconds. That time? It’s right up there with the fastest U20 sprinters in the world, just inches behind the American U20 record. After some moves, from Kentucky to Texas A&M and now Arkansas, Jordan’s still making waves, sweeping SEC sprint titles and rewriting records.

What makes him stand out isn’t just his speed, though. Behind the scenes, he’s driven by a deeply personal mission, fueled by the memory of his dad, who passed away in 2021. And yeah, he’s got big dreams: not just Olympic gold in track and field but also a future in pro football. Fast, funny, and outgoing—that’s Jordan Anthony in a nutshell. And honestly? You’re going to want to keep watching this one.

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