GALT, CA (MPG) - This year for the first time Galt High School announced two male athletes of the year during the graduation ceremony.

Athletic Director John van den Raadt named Kayson Jones as the first one. “Kayson Jones is an exceptional athlete, and an even better young man,” said van den Raadt. “He competed in football and track throughout his time at GHS, earning all-league awards and MVP awards in football, also making it to section finals for track. In addition, he served countless hours doing community service projects throughout our area. He was also named a Sac Joaquin section athlete of the year. Doing all this while graduating with a 3.7 cumulative GPA.”

Along with his many athletic accolades, Jones participated in FFA and was a Galt youth commissioner. During his high school years Jones played four years of football: one year on JV and the rest on Varsity.  Jones was also named team MVP. Interestingly enough, Jones, who played quarterback for more than two years, started playing running back and scored most of the season’s points for Galt. Later in the season, the kicker was sidelined due to an injury and Jones would run a touchdown in and come running out for the extra point, then run to the 50 for the kickoff. 

Jones ran track sophomore through senior years and played Varsity baseball as a freshman during Covid.

“If asked what was my favorite sport is, I’d have to say football and track are tied for first place,” said Jones. “Both sports were amazing and I have tons of memories from each. Both sports each gave me the opportunity to earn an All-League award (two in total). I was able to be a part of the third fastest 4x1 team in Galt High history and fifth on the pole vault records.”

Jones is a natural athlete and seems to be good at anything he puts his mind to. 

“Growing up I played a bit of everything from baseball, soccer, rugby and basketball when I was really young,” explains Jones. “I was always involved in sports year-round at a young age and it’s where I developed my competitive nature and love for sports. It always gave me the mindset to always be improving and bettering myself in everything I do in life.” 

Jones says his favorite sports memory is qualifying and running at the Masters in the 4x100 relay his sophomore year and his first year of track.

Jones is heading to Montana State in the fall where he plans to major in Civil Engineering. 

Jones was not recruited to play sports in college, but he plans to try out for the school’s rugby team when he gets there. Having seen Jones knock players all over the football field, this reporter is pretty sure he will make that team.