Biography:
Layla Giordano: A Multi-Sport Athlete
Layla Giordano is a distinguished multi-sport athlete from Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, New Jersey, participating in volleyball, basketball, and track and field. Her commitment to excellence have significantly contributed to her school's athletic success.
Volleyball Career: As a middle blocker/opposite (MB, O) wearing jersey number 18, Layla demonstrated remarkable growth throughout her high school volleyball career. Her season statistics are as follows:
- 2020-2021: 17 kills, 8 blocks, 2 digs.
- 2021-2022: 86 kills, 37 blocks, 8 digs, 1 assist.
- 2022-2023: 106 kills, 42 blocks, 17 digs, 1 assist.
- 2023-2024: 132 kills, 32 blocks, 10 digs, 3 assists.
Over her four-year volleyball career, Layla accumulated impressive totals: 341 kills, 119 blocks, 37 digs, and 5 assists. Winning a State Sectional title as a sophomore.
Basketball Career: On the basketball court, Layla wore jersey number 5 and showcased remarkable growth throughout her high school tenure. Her season statistics are as follows:
- 2020-2021: 31 points over 8 games. Covid-19 shortened season
- 2021-2022: 154 points, 99 rebounds, 21 assists, 10 blocks, and 15 steals across 17 games.
- 2022-2023: 393 points, 170 rebounds, 55 assists, 14 blocks, and 31 steals over 27 games.
- 2023-2024: 437 points, 183 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in 26 games.
Over her four-year basketball career, Layla accumulated impressive totals: 1015 points, 452 rebounds, 81 assists, 26 blocks, and 48 steals.
Track and Field Career: Layla's prowess extended to track and field, where she displayed her athletic abilities on both the track and the field. She was a jumper and a thrower early in her high school career. Then Junior year, she exclusively dedicated her talents to throwing. After specializing in throwing events, her exceptional performances earned her significant individual accolades. She was also a key contributor to her team's success, being part of three sectional championship teams and a Group 3 state championship team during her sophomore year. She ended her high school career in Track & Field with outstanding marks and recognitions .
Shot Put: Achieved a personal best of 50 feet in 2024, ranking her 4th all time in New Jersey.
Discus: Throwing a PR of 172-2 at the North 1, Group 3 meet, which tied Delsea’s Jocelyn White for the second-furthest throw in New Jersey state history.
- Gatorade New Jersey Track & Field Player of the Year (2024): This prestigious award recognized Layla's outstanding athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character on and off the field.
- New Jersey Girls Field Athlete of the Year (2024): Giordano threw a discus PR 172-2 at the North 1, Group 3 meet, which tied Delsea’s Jocelyn White for the second-furthest throw in state history. Layla consistently threw beyond 45 feet in the shot put at all but one meet during the season, securing gold medals in every appearance except for a second-place finish at the Meet of Champions with a throw of 46-4¾.
- June 2023: Crowned an All American - Won the New Balance National Championship with a throw of 170-4, ranking her third on New Jersey's all-time list and fifth nationally for the season.
- April 2024: Clinched the Penn Relays Discus Championship with a throw of 167-10, winning by over 10 feet and being the only American athlete among the top eight finishers
Layla's dedication and accomplishments across multiple sports underscore her as a well-rounded and committed athlete, significantly contributing to Northern Valley Old Tappan High School's athletic success. Layla Giordano will be known as one of the greatest high school throwers in New Jersey history. She will also have the chance to further her success throwing in New Jersey as she will continue her academic and athletic career at Princeton University. She has set some pre-college goals to help her new team win a few Ivy League Championships. Layla's high school track and field career is characterized by record-breaking achievements and a commitment to excellence, positioning her as one of New Jersey's most distinguished athletes.