This 1996 graduate of Big Piney High School was an outstanding two sport athlete for the Punchers. John was a double All-State selection earning honors as a basketball player as well as a track athlete. Not only did he excel as a Puncher, he continued to excel as an athlete at the University of Sioux Falls.
As a hoopster, Jess helped lead his team to the consolation championship during his senior year and was named twice to the Rocky Mountain All Conference team. He surpassed that honor by being named to the Wyoming Class 2A All-State team by the Wyoming Coaches Association.
Jess’s track and field accomplishments were as impressive if not more so than that of his basketball feats. John stood on the awards stand at the Wyoming State meet a total of thirteen times during his career. This track-ster earned All-State honors a total of six times during this span. As a junior and senior, John Jess led the Punchers to runner-up finishes at the Wyoming 2A State Meet.
John continued his track career at the University of Sioux Falls where he qualified for the NAIA National Meet all four years of his collegiate career. His performances in the 110 and 400 hurdles, qualified him for this prestigious meet each year. During his junior year at the South Dakota Conference Track Meet, John won gold in four events as well as helping a 1600m relay team to a gold medal finish and a school record. As an indoor track athlete there, Jess was honored the Most Points Award in each of his four years. His 60m hurdle time set a USF school record. Needless to say, John Jess earned All-Conference honors in both sports every year as a USF track athlete. The highlight of his collegiate career was being named the South Dakota Collegiate Track Athlete of the Year.