Paloma Valley discus thrower Epps saves best for last

Discus thrower Jayden Epps has posted personal bests and broken school records the last two weeks.

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

Paloma Valley High senior Jayden Epps made school history last weekend with a first-place finish in the discus at the CIF-SS Division 1 finals, becoming the first Paloma Valley boys CIF champion in the sport with a personal best of 187-7. That easily topped the school record he set just the week before, with a mark of 173-7.

Now Epps is set to compete in the CIF Masters meet on Saturday, hoping to qualify for the CIF State meet.

It was just three years ago that he went with his dad to a church conference and was introduced to throwing by a man he met there. That planted the thought in his head. Then when a coach asked him to try it out one day after football practice, he immediately showed his potential in the sport.

“It’s a weird story, but it all started at church,” he said. “Then when I threw it, they said they knew they wanted to keep me and I’ve been to CIF every year since, but this year is my first time winning it.”

Epps said he prayed leading up to last weekend’s meet, then it all went as he had hoped after “leaving it in God’s hands.” With his faith playing such a prominent role in his life, he also prioritizes his time in two other sports-- football and wrestling-- and in clubs around the school like the Black Student Union and the chess club, which he started with his track coach.

But before he started high school, Epps was focused on music.

“I was a band kid. I was always in band and played multiple instruments,” he said. “So to now be one of the notable athletes and go to college on an athletic scholarship … I never would have guessed that would be me.”

Epps said he loves having so many hobbies because it helps him thrive in multiple areas of his life, without overwhelming him. He also thanks his coaches and staff at the school for helping him thrive.

“They’re amazing,” he said. “It’s more than just track and field for them.”

He said coaches and teachers and administrators have rallied behind him and made him feel proud of his accomplishments.

“These people here have been there for me and seeing my potential from the start,” he said. “They helped me stay on top of grades and everything and helped me realize what it would take to get here.”
Epps said being the first to make this championship level has been cool because people he’s never met have greeted him in the community and around the school to congratulate him on his winning. And, as good as that feels, he hopes people know that he wants even better for those coming after him.
In particular, he mentioned Arthur Clemons, a sophomore teammate he said the whole town should watch out for.

“He’s also a three-sport athlete and I believe if there’s anyone here on campus right now who will take down any of my accomplishments, it will be him,” said Epps. “He will earn it and I won’t be sad to see any of my records broken by him.”

Regardless of what happens to his records at Paloma, the clubs he started or the legacy he leaves behind, Epps has a bright future at Morgan State University in Baltimore ,where he has officially declared to attend this fall.

“Hopefully I can get there and be a conference champion in my first year,” he said.

For now, he is grateful for a day in the fall of his sophomore year that he went to church.

“It’s crazy to think what would have happened if I didn’t go to church that day,” he said. “I didn’t even know what this was before then, so to go from that to being a champion now is just wild.”

He will look for another championship effort this weekend.

“I know my coaches are working hard to make sure that happens,” he said. “And I know the dog in me won’t let them down.”