Top soaring Eagle

Steve Virgen

When Jason Johnston looks back on his athletic career at Estancia

High, he might get dizzy.

In the spring, he went from the track to the field, competing and

earning points in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, as well as the

long- and triple-jump events. In the fall, he went from offense to

defense to special teams, seemingly defying the odds with his 6-foot,

155-pound frame.

Through it all he maintained a competitive fire that motivated him

while he trained for his sports. For his efforts, Johnston,

affectionately known as J.J., has been named Estancia’s Boys Athlete

of the Year.

The recent Estancia graduate did not end his athletic career as he

would have liked to, pulling his hamstring while racing in the 110

high hurdles of the CIF Southern Section Division III preliminaries.

However, when he talked about the season and his time at Estancia, he

smiled.

“I had fun,” Johnston said after his season ended at the CIF

preliminaries.

Johnston said, though it was challenging, he enjoyed his two years

of varsity competition in football and track and field. In football,

he contributed his versatility. He was a receiver on offense and a

defensive back on defense. He was also used on special teams,

fielding punts or kickoffs.

Johnston, an Eagles’ team captain, also battled through various

injuries throughout his time with football. He did not play his

junior year because of a shoulder injury. He had knee problems toward

the end of his senior season, yet never wavered even at the thought

he could damage his success in track and field, which was his

specialty sport.

Johnston said, though it was challenging, he enjoyed his two years

of varsity competition in football and track and field. In football,

he contributed his versatility. He was a receiver on offense and a

defensive back on defense. He was also used on special teams,

fielding punts or kickoffs.

His senior track and field season also included a steady

performance at the Orange County championships, where he finished

seventh in the 110 high hurdles and eighth in the long jump.

Johnston won the small schools division 110 high hurdles in 15.29

seconds in the Long Beach relays during his senior season.

As a junior, Johnston helped lead the Estancia boys track and

field team to a Golden West League championship. Johnston had a 3.54

GPA in high school and was a Daily Pilot Costa Mesa Academic

All-Star. He will attend UCLA in the fall.