EXCLUSIVE profile of Jaden Jean-Paul on his home turf at Evanston Township High School
2026 was a banner track-and-field season for the 3A state champion Evanston boys. One major cog in that equation is the Wildkits' junior Jaden Jean-Paul. A multi-talented athlete, Jean-Paul has emerged as one of this team's top overall athletes, competing in the long jump, triple jump, and his main event, the high jump.
Last year, Jean-Paul showed promise as a sophomore in his first true season. He cleared 6'8" but was unable to be consistent and would not make the state championship.
Jean-Paul made some personal changes during the offseason, spanning the summer and winter months. He improved his mental and physical strength throughout the indoor season, setting himself up for an outstanding outdoor slate. Not many people outside of the team camp saw the 6'10.25" clearance as well as the consistency that it takes to be a champion.
At the state championship, Jean-Paul advanced to the final that was on Saturday. In it, he avenged his only loss of the season, which was to JJ Lewandowski of Champaign Centennial, and surpassed the state leader, McKenzie Doe III of Chatham-Glenwood, en route to his first state title. A tired but exuberant Jean-Paul managed 6'7", not his best effort, but it was his best effort in the biggest moment of his young career.
EXCLUSIVE profile of Jaden Jean-Paul on his home turf at Evanston Township High School
2026 was a banner track-and-field season for the 3A state champion Evanston boys. One major cog in that equation is the Wildkits' junior Jaden Jean-Paul. A multi-talented athlete, Jean-Paul has emerged as one of this team's top overall athletes, competing in the long jump, triple jump, and his main event, the high jump.
Last year, Jean-Paul showed promise as a sophomore in his first true season. He cleared 6'8" but was unable to be consistent and would not make the state championship.
