It has always been a goal of Jayden Burns to be able to compete in racewalking.  While the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) allowed girls to compete, it wasn’t until the 2023-2024 school year that it was opened to boys.  Jayden enthusiastically joined when North Tonawanda CSD Coach Brenda Perrella was looking for participants for the Section VI A/C Inter-Divisional meet at Houghton College in December.  

Little did he know in his first outing at the event, that he would set the record for the U.S. Boys Indoor Track and Field season in the 1,500-meter racewalking event with an 8:20:90 time.  “I was surprised.  I didn’t expect it.  I had no clue.  I was really totally shocked,” he said.  “I was not expecting it since I was just doing this for fun.”  Coach Parrella says, “It was amazing to see and a shock to everybody that he is the first seed in the nation!  I never thought I would have a nationally ranked athlete my first season coaching.”

Burns credits his mother, Jennifer Delaverne, as his inspiration.  Jennifer participated in indoor track.  “She would tease and push me and that made me fall in love with running.  She would be come on Jayden come run with me.  I was slow at first, but then I picked up speed and I started racing kids in the middle school, then started track at High School and I loved it.  It was amazing.”  

To help him get and stay healthy he started working on his eating habits.  He even signed up to take the Culinary Arts class at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center to learn how to prepare food.  Jayden says his passion is cooking and he hopes to open his own restaurant in the future.   It’s one of my goals.  I like to feed people.  I don’t like to see people starve.  And I like feeding my family and friends. Also it helps me to eat healthier for running track too.”  

Teammate Aiden Raymond also received news that he has placed in second place behind Jayden nationally.  “It’s very exciting,” he says.  As for Coach Perella she is looking forward to seeing how much her team grow and help each of her athletes reach their full potential.  “As a coach, it’s nice being around dedicated athletes like Jayden.  If I have athletes like Jayden and Aidan, I have nothing to worry about.”