— By Jim Workman
Wally’s & Wimpy’s Sports Digest, For WVSWA
Possessing a love for soccer that started in his own backyard with an older brother primarily teaching him the skills needed, Bodie Jordan was destined to live out his dreams on the pitch for the Nitro Wildcats.
A Nitro junior, Jordan worked toward that goal and put together a tremendous season for the Class AAA state runner-up Wildcats last season. Nitro finished with a 21-1-2 record, bowing out in the title match, 3-1 to Bridgeport. It spoiled a potential undefeated season for the Wildcats.
Bodie Jordan has been selected as the 2025 Boys Soccer Player of the Year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. He’ll receive his award at the 79th Victory Awards, held Sunday May 3 at the Charleston Town Center.
“It’s been a goal of mine since I was about eight years old because my brother Seth (Jordan) won the same award,” Bodie said. “So hearing that I won, was just the craziest thing ever.”
His brother Seth Jordan was a star high school student-athlete at Nitro too. He won the 2017 Boys Soccer Player of the Year, the last time Nitro claimed a boys soccer state title.
Nitro head coach Jimbo Jordan, Bodie’s and Seth’s father, admits he didn’t play soccer himself and wasn’t around the game much until Seth began playing as a youth.
“I’ve learned a lot over the years, just watching (Seth) grow up playing soccer,” Coach Jordan said. “And then having him around with Bodie coming up, I think that’s why I feel Bodie’s a lot better than (Seth) was. And I think it’s because of his working with (Bodie).
“Seth’s been my assistant last year and this year,” Coach Jordan added. “Having that skill set around to help out has helped Bodie a lot.”
“Our house is pretty much always centered around the team and strategies,” Bodie said. “I just try to work myself into the plans the best I can.
“I try to be the hardest work on the field. If there’s a tackle I can make and it’s 10 yards away, I’ll do my best to make it.”
Bodie’s stats last season, 52 goals, 27 assists and more than 100 steals in just 24 games is a testament to his versatility on the field and his soccer IQ, his coach said.
Bodie suffered a significant injury in the state semifinals which severely limited his mobility.
“I was bummed by that,” Bodie said. “There’s not an injury that was going to keep me from trying to play in that championship game.”
Despite the injury and pain that came with it, Bodie managed to score a first half goal to tie the game at 1-1. He was named to the all-tournament team.
He’s on target to return for his senior season this fall, Bodie said. Nitro boys were state champs in 1990 and 2017. So older brother Seth still has one up on little brother Bodie.
“That’s my main focus,” Bodie added. “The physical therapy is going well. Just trying to win a state championship next year.”
Nitro’s girls soccer team was state championship runners-up also last season. Bodie said the teams fed off each other’s successes.
“We felt the love,” he said. “That was really important throughout the playoffs and the state tournament. Just seeing the people from Nitro there to cheer us on, it really helped us a lot. I’d like to think it’s turning into more of a soccer town.”