Prep Scene
Juriad Hughes Jr. isn’t only becoming one in all the state’s top track and field athletes, but one in all the nation’s best as well. The Irondale High School athlete turned heads this past January when he broke a 41-year-old long jump record set by St. Paul Central track and field legend Von Sheppard. Hughes Jr.’s leap of 25 feet, 3 1/2 inches bested Sheppard’s previous record of 25 feet, 1 1/2 inches and made him one in all the top-ranked long jumpers within the country for the Class of 20Since then, he has continued to impress, taking home gold medals within the long jump and triple jump on the 2019 Minnesota Class AA State Track and Field Championship. Hughes Jr. can also be a member of the Irondale distance medley and 4×400 relay teams, which have each earned All-State honors.
Hughes set a brand new Minnesota boys indoor and outdoor long jump mark with a leap of 24’ 11”, topping Sheppard’s mark of 24’ 9.25” set on the Minnesota State High School League meet in 1982.
Hughes’ accomplishments are adding to the legacy set in motion by his father, Juriad Hughes Sr.
The elder Hughes starred in boys basketball at St. Paul Central from 1987-89, leading the Minutemen to a fourth place Class AA state tournament finish. He capped off his profession with the 1989 Star Tribune Metro Player of the 12 months honors, in the method.
The younger Hughes was also a starting wide receiver for a Knights football team that finished with a 6-4 record, with a team-leading 429 yards, while averaging 17.2 yards per reception, and scoring 4 touchdowns through the regular season.
For now, Hughes Jr. is targeted on the present track and field season, which he has dominated to date within the 100-meter, 200-meter, and long jump.
Football and track and field weren’t the one sports through which Hughes Jr. participated. Up until his sophomore yr, he played basketball before selecting to not follow in his father’s footsteps and develop his own athletic legacy.
Hughes Sr. was surprisingly agreeable along with his son’s decision. “I’m glad that he finally realized that basketball wasn’t one in all his major sports,” Hughes Sr. said.
One thing is for certain: Juriad Hughes Jr. has the potential to develop into one in all Minnesota’s top highschool track and field performers of all time. Based on what has transpired thus far, the sky’s the limit.