Running toward the record books

Being the fastest runner in Nebraska is something that many high school athletes strive for in the state. Wide receiver and triple gold medalist Jaylen Loyd of Westside holds the title as the fastest athlete in the state. 

Lloyd spent three years at Omaha Central high school, before he transferred to Westside for his senior year. He was a decorated track athlete with the Eagles, after winning three gold medals in the sprints and field events. However Lloyd decided to make a change in high schools.

“It was not like a community over there, a lot of coaches did not get along with each other, I did not want to be around that,” Lloyd said. “I came to Westside because it is a big community here and everyone loves each other,” 

Lloyd was named the 2022 Gatorade Athlete of the Year, after he took home three gold medals at the State Track and Field Championships at Burke Stadium. Lloyd earned his first gold medal in the 100-meters with a time of 10.43 seconds. Lloyd was at his best in the field events, where he won the gold medal in the long jump with a distance of 24 feet and six inches. Lloyd earned his third and final gold medal in the triple jump with a leap of 50 feet and 3.5 inches, all while wearing an Eagles jersey.

“Sophomore year I won two out of four of my events and my goal now is to win all four,”

Lloyd said. 

Lloyd already knew his new jumping coach Steve Gordon, when he decided to transfer to Westside.

“Westside is a big family, I knew Steve Gordon and I have been jumping with him since I was little,” Lloyd said. 

Lloyd’s success on the track has helped him make an impact in his first football season at Westside. The wide receiver ranks fifth in Class A with 43 receptions for 753 yards and has scored five touchdowns. Lloyd gives much of the credit to his quarterback Anthony Rezac.

“Anthony has helped me a lot, he has been a leader to the whole team helping me and helping the whole team out,” Lloyd said. 

Westside head coach Paul Limongi knows Lloyd is a special player and has a bright future. 

“Jaylen has helped the team with his work ethic and has big play capabilities,” Limongi said.

Lloyd has attracted a lot of national attention because of his football and track career. Last summer at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Oregon, Lloyd became the only high school jumper to reach 25 feet in the long jump and 50 feet in the triple jump. Lloyd took first place in the long jump and finished second in the triple jump. Lloyd has made several recruiting trips to colleges around the country for both football and track. 

“I have been to Texas Tech and Illinois, then this weekend I will be in Georgia, then I will be in Florida for a track visit, then I will plan to make a decision around December,” Lloyd said. 

Whether Lloyd’s future is on the track or on the gridiron, Limongi thinks he will make an immediate impact in college.

“I believe Jaylen can be successful anywhere he chooses to be,” Limongi said.