SPEEDWAY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Jackson Burns started the season in goal for the varsity soccer Sparkplugs. When he got to high school, he wasn’t originally a goalie. But the journey to get there has been highly rewarding. “I started on the lowest team in the soccer program (and) that caused me to change my position to Goalkeeper at the end of freshman year where I finally found a stride,” said Burns. For sophomore and junior year, I only got sixty minutes of varsity playing time combined.” As a senior, Burns became the starting goalie for a program with rich success. “It just goes to show you change is important and that it doesn’t matter where you start to get to the finish you dreamt of,” said Burns. Jackson also participated in club soccer for programs in Lawrence and Franklin Township, gaining valuable experience. And head coach Dean Heaviland appreciated Jackson’s approach to it all. “Jackson earned our Most Improved Player for the 2024 campaign when he worked incredibly hard to become our starting goalie and started every game for us this past year,” said Heaviland. “He became one of the best goalies in our conference and earned All-Conference honors.” It wasn’t always a smooth ride for Jackson when transitioning his game. He credits Josh Austin for helping him see the positives. “If it wasn’t for him (Josh), I would have quit soccer and not found the love of the game,” said Burns. “Even though he is now in Texas, he still has an impact … He encouraged me and facilitated my growth as a player and a person.” Why is a soccer ultimately a positive in Jackson’s life? “The lessons I’ve learned from each coach that I’ve had,” said Burns. The son of Tim Burns and Sandra Olivas-Burns, Jackson has two sisters that also graduated from Speedway, Allyson and Isabel.