LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. — Lee’s Summit High School senior Johnny Brackins, Jr. is one of the few high school athletes who will continue his athletic career at University of Southern California, one of the best track schools in the country.
Earning a scholarship to USC is one of the many accomplishments Brackins has already achieved.
“He was a state champion as a sophomore, a defending champion at the KU relays as a sophomore,” LSHS track coach Craig Heeney said.
The state championship did not come without a lot of hard work.
“Johnny in jumps and hurdles … you know how he's different is obviously his elite level,” Heeney said.
Brackins’ track career wouldn’t be the same without the guidance of his father, who was also a track star growing up.
“I know some dads don't want their kids to be better than him, but I really really pushed him to be better than me — and he exceeded,” Johnny Brackins, Sr. said.
USC saw the potential in Brackins and wanted him on their team.
“They, you know, kept in contact. They just told me what they saw in it for me in the future,” Johnny Brackins said. “So, ultimately I ended up picking them just because they were really determined to get me on the team and they were communicating with me heavily.”
As Brackins’ senior track season begins, he said he is prepared to prove that USC made the right choice.
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41 Action News partnered with students from Lee's Summit High School as part of News Literacy Week to produce this story.
