The Junction City High School boys’ track and field team captured the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 on Friday night inside Blue Jay Stadium. By winning the league championship, it marked the first time in school history that the Blue Jays have won the title in both football and track and field in the same year under head coach Randall Zimmerman. It was also the first track and field league title since 2005.
Leading the way for the Blue Jays was the 4x100 quartet of Chase Perkins, Tylen Smith, Aidenn Segura and Isaiah Byers who obliterated the meet and venue record with a blazing state-leading time of 41.35 seconds. By clocking 41.35 seconds, the quartet has now tied the Kansas state record, which was previously set by Olathe North High School in 2025.
Other league champions on the boys’ side included Byers in the 400 meters, Anthony Testa in the 3200 meters, Demari McKinney in the 300 Meter Hurdles and Perkins in the long jump. As a team, the boys claimed first overall with a team score of 162 points. Manhattan High School finished second with 142 points.
"I'm just really proud of this group of kids," coach Randall Zimmerman said. "These kids have put some great work in. We've had some kids do some very unselfish things all year long." Coach Zimmerman said they break the long track and field season down into three seasons. "Right now we are in championship season, with league, regionals, and state. I am just so proud of these guys, a great group of kids."
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On the girl’s side, Madison Long earned first overall in the 100 Meter Hurdles with a time of 15.49, while the Blue Jays posted second-place showings in the 4x100 Meter Relay, 300 Meter Hurdles (Danielle Bucher) and shot put (Kayla Covington).
**More photos of the JCHS boys Centennial League win are below. Photos courtesy of Callie Jones, JCHS track and field assistant coach.
