Newsday's Athlete of the Week is Kellenberg track's Damion Gordon Jr.

From his coaches, Joseph Moncada and Tyler Capozzoli, to his mother, Latoya Wilmot, Damion Gordon Jr. wants to carry the legacy passed down to him every time he steps on the track for Kellenberg.

"Having Kellenberg on my chest every meet reminds me that I'm representing a great program," said Gordon, a sophomore. "I'm representing a program that showcased many other athletes like my mom, my uncle [Dwayne Wilmot] and my coaches. I'm now a part of that."

Initially, no jerseys were left for Gordon in his first year, so Moncada gave him the jersey he wore in high school. Gordon now proudly wears that jersey, saying it gives him "good luck."

"I wanted to give it to someone who would represent the school well and bring a winning culture to the team," Moncada said. "If there is anyone, I'm going to take a shot on, it's Damion."

"I always make sure I have that jersey in my backpack," Gordon said. "To have that same jersey that my coach was wearing really builds a legacy for the program."

Gordon has now marked his name in the Kellenberg history books. At the CHSAA intersectional championships on May 24, he won the 100 meters in 10.88 seconds, setting a personal record and breaking the school mark previously held by Kavon Morris, who set it in 2021 at 10.94 seconds.

Gordon also helped break the 4 x 100 school record in 42.7 seconds with his teammates Malachi Caskill, Nicholas Baldwin, and Mario Sanabria, making the win more memorable. The record was held by Rob Franklin, Rob Burrato, Russell Stevens, and Chris Lee in 43.2 seconds in 2001. 

For his efforts, Gordon is Newsday's Athlete of the Week. 

"When I think of that relay, it was like the dream team," Gordon said. "We have been running together for the past three years. We have been through trials and tribulations. It was our friendship and chemistry that won us the race."

He added: "That 4 x 1 record was 23 years old, so to win it with the three people I look up to meant a lot to me."

Breaking records may come naturally for the sophomore, but what keeps him motivated is the love and support he gets from everyone around him.

"I always think about the people who support me: my mom, my coaches and my grandparents," Gordon said. "They have been there since the beginning. I'm not just doing this to be great. I'm doing this for the people that love me."

In addition to his stellar performances on the track, Gordon still finds time to maintain a high GPA and work hard in school. He received a Summa Cum Laude standard on the National Latin Exam.

"My education in my family is the biggest priority," Gordon said. "I get it from my mom. She always makes sure I'm never slacking off."

Capozzoli praised Gordon for the growth in his mentality. He is confident that the sophomore can showcase his ability upstate in Middletown, scheduled for June 13-14, and leave his mark for the Firebirds.

"He now can block everything out. He matured and learned not to overanalyze everything," Capozzoli said. "For his age, he has a high track IQ. He's putting himself in that all-time conversation."

By Jonathan Ruban

jonathan.ruban@newsday.com

Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.