Kenosha Bradford High School basks in Melvin Gordon's success on the gridiron

RACINE (WITI) -- 408 yards in just three quarters of football. That feat has a Wisconsin native in the NCAA football record book. But Melvin Gordon's most significant achievement could involve the impact his hard work is already having on students at his former high school, Kenosha Bradford.

Kurt Sinclair is the principal at Kenosha Bradford High School -- and he couldn't be more proud.

"I thought it was one of the best things I've ever seen in my life," said Sinclair.

On Saturday, November 15th, Sinclair was among those watching Kenosha Bradford alum and current Wisconsin Badger Melvin Gordon rush his way into those record books.

"It's always great when your school's referenced and attached to an athlete, but to a great kid like Melvin and his accomplishment, it's an awesome feeling," said Sinclair.

It's also a familiar feeling for folks at Bradford. Monday, November 17th was signing day for Santino Ruffolo, a student who will play baseball for UW-Parkside after he graduates. Ruffolo says Bradford student-athletes work harder because they're inspired by the success of players who have preceded them.

"It kinda feels like you have to work even harder to keep your school's name up, you know,keep that rep up," said Ruffolo.

That's something Bradford alum and current member of the New York Yankees, Nathan Mikolas, knows all too well.

"People say it's Wisconsin, like, we don't really have that good of sports, but we really do have good sports, and we're really making a name for ourselves, and it's great for the community and Wisconsin, and it's good for Bradford," said Mikolas.

It's also good for those, such as Sinclair's son, who could be following in the footsteps of the greats like Gordon.

"He said, 'Dad, can you believe he went to Bradford?' And I said, 'Son, absolutely,'" said Sinclair.