Chattanooga Christian School’s Nicolette Gordon competes in the A-AA pole vault.After going from unknown to state champion in the span of just a couple of months last spring, Nicolette Gordon took the next step and signed a track and field scholarship with the University of Kentucky on Wednesday.
The Chattanooga Christian senior took up pole vaulting last year, after a gymnastics career that left her with two knee surgeries, and wound up winning the Class A/AA state title by clearing 12 feet, which was nearly four inches higher than the second-place finisher.
“I’m super excited,” said Gordon, who chose Kentucky over offers from Tennessee, South Carolina and Belmont. “Kentucky has the best balance of what I’m looking for academically and as a vaulter.
“The best part is now I can concentrate on my senior season and not worry about getting a scholarship or where I’m going to be going. I can just prepare myself mentally for my goals this spring.”
Gordon said her goal this season is to break the state meet record of 12 feet, 7 inches.