Jordan Fife grew up in Seymour, Indiana, and, although basketball was his first love, his success at a local summer road race near his grandparents’ home in Flora, Indiana, gave him a clue that distance running might be a better option.  Under the coaching of John Chastain at Seymour High School, Jordan earned two trips each to the cross country and track and field state championships, culminating with an All-State finish in cross country his senior year.  He felt there was more to learn about the sport and enthusiastically accepted a walk-on position at Indiana State to run for John McNichols.