Essex Middle School PE instructor Chris Polakowski approached Gordon, an athletic sixth-grader, in the winter of 1996 and suggested she give an after-school, intramural weightlifting program a shot.

“So in sixth grade I went into the gym and I was the only girl there. I tried it for two days and I quit,” explained Gordon of her discouraging first attempt at the sport.

Persuaded by her mother, who had by then taken a job as the school nurse, Gordon gave the activity another chance in eighth grade.

“My mom just kind of said to me, ‘Just give it another shot. If you don’t like, that’s fine, we’ll support you.’ I went in and I started lifting and I learned that there was a girl that was in my grade, she went to Junior Nationals and she got third place. That’s when the competitive side came out, because I was like ‘If she can do it, I can do it’.”

Ever since that epiphany six years ago, Gordon has dedicated herself to the sport she loves. During high school, she competed in regional and national competitions, earning four National Junior gold medals along the way. Her junior career took her North of the Border, as she participated in events in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a mere half hour’s drive from her home.

“I knew I needed to be out training with people who were at a higher level, so it kind of pushed me and got me to become a better athlete and understand what is was to be an elite athlete. That’s why I moved out here [Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center] when I was 17 and I’ve been out here ever since.”

Gordon traded in the Essex Middle School gym, filled with 13 and 14 year olds, for the Olympic Training Center weightlifting gym, chock-full of Olympic gold medalists. The training schedule in Colorado Springs is much different from the intramural program in Vermont. Gordon is now a full-time athlete, working out twice a day.

All of her hard work may pay off on May 8 when the U.S. Olympic Trials – Weightlifting open in St. Joseph, Mo. Out of the seven women’s weight classes, only three Americans will earn berths in the 2004 Olympic Games during the Trials. Going into the event as the youngest American ranked in the top-10 Gordon knows this might be more of a learning experience for the 2008 Trials, when she hopes to be ranked as one of the top three athletes in the country.

“Our first and second places are pretty much locked. I think it is going to kind of be a battle for the alternate position, for third place. I personally am just looking to hold my spot at No. 5 and increase my totals on the lifts I have done. So I’m just looking to hold No. 5 and try to have the best competition I’ve ever had in my life.”

Gordon stays busy outside of the gym as well. She is currently working on three associate’s degrees at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. Planning to someday pursue a career in marketing, Gordon is enrolled in business-heavy coursework.

“I’ll have a business degree with an emphasis on management, marketing and customer service. Marketing right now is what I am aiming for.”

Gordon would like to complete her studies at a four-year institution, maybe even go for her master’s degree, but those goals will be achieved after her lifting days are over.

Says Gordon of how long she plans to compete, “2008, 2012, as long as my body holds up, I’ll keep doing it, I’ll keep pushing.” She added, “I think I’ll go on for a long time, as long as I can physically do it and mentally be strong, I’ll keep on lifting.”