Jaekwan Moodie recalled a time when his parents asked him to try out for the track team.

Four years later, Moodie took their suggestion and has made the most of the situation.

The senior has had a steady and strong year for the Roughies this season in the long jump and 100 along with being a member of their 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. He recently set a new school record in the long jump with a mark of 21-8.

It certainly has been a memorable inaugural season.

“My parents told me to go out for (track) when I was a freshman, but I really was focused on football,” said Moodie. “I have been playing it (football) since I was five.

“When I first tried the long jump, my coaches said that I had good form. It seemed to work for me, and I stayed with it. I have been doing good with it, and I keep setting personal record every time out.

“I really have enjoyed everything about the season.”

Head coach Kyle Rusnock was confident Moodie would make an immediate impact.

“Moodie is a fantastic athlete,” said Rusnock. “Coming out his first year, I knew he could jump far the first time I saw him. He is fast and can jump. He also helps out in sprints and relays.

“I am happy that he came out for track. He is peaking at the right time, and I am excited to see him perform at leagues and districts.”

Moodie has been the second leg of the team’s 4x100 team and the third leg of the 4x400 team. Their best finish was third in both events this season, posting a time of 47.02 in the 100, and 4:02.89 in the 400.

“We feel that we can do better in both relays,” said Moodie. “I feel like I am getting more and more comfortable and confident with it. We need to work on our handoffs and our timing. But we are pretty confident that we can do well in leagues and districts.”

Moodie had been encouraged with his spring finish after a bicep tendon problem dampened his final football season. He was injured on the second play in the first game, and his anticipated season never materialized.

“I came back either the fourth or fifth game, and I couldn’t get on track,” said Moodie. “It was a frustrating year for me and all of us. I knew that I couldn’t do what I wanted to do.”

Moodie had modeled his game after New York Giants’ running back Saquon Barkley and watched him play during his sophomore year at Whitehall. He realizes his football career is over, but he will still reminisce over his middle school days when he made the transition from lineman to running back.

“I’ll never forget the first time that I carried the ball,” he said. “It really was special for me and I knew I would be a running back. It’s disappointing for me that I likely won’t play football again.”

Moodie plans to pursue a career in the military, a career goal for quite some time. Even though one career has come to an end, Moodie and others know his track career still has some time left.