This track and field season has been about proving hard work and perseverance can overcome setbacks for Jashawn Tolefree. The Wichita North High School standout has his sights set on competing at the next level while continuing to raise the bar in the triple jump.
“My main focus for this year is to get a scholarship for track and basketball and also to break my school triple jump record of 48 feet,” Tolefree said.
That determination has become one of his defining traits. Tolefree said his biggest strength is his refusal to quit, even during difficult moments.
“What I would consider to be my strength is the will to never give up even when things don’t go my way,” he said. “I utilize it for my team by staying hopeful and cheering on my teammates even when I’m not playing.”
After battling knee pain last season, Tolefree entered the offseason focused on recovery and preparation. The injury cost him an opportunity to reach the state meet in 2025, missing qualification by the slimmest of margins.
“One thing I really needed to work on in my offseason was my knee pain,” Tolefree said. “So I did lots of knee recovery exercises to make sure they were ready for next season.”
The work has paid off. Last season, Tolefree posted a personal record of 42 feet, 9 inches in the triple jump and was ranked third at regionals before narrowly missing a trip to state.
“Last year I lost the chance to get to state because of my knee pain, and I literally lost by a fingernail,” he said.
This spring has been a different story. Tolefree has elevated his personal record to 45-7 and now sits ranked first in his regional while also placing himself among the top 10 triple jumpers in Kansas.
“What a successful season would look like for me and my team is me getting top 10 at state meet,” Tolefree said.
