Remembering a Legacy: Jayvon Pryor

Photo via clehtstf on instagram

In December of 2023, the Northeast Ohio running community lost a runner who brought laughter and light into the lives of those around him. With the unexpected passing of Jayvon Pryor, the Cleveland Heights track and cross country program wants to remember their friend and teammate with a race to be named in his honor.

In an interview with Cleveland Heights head coach Scott McNulty, he expressed the impact that Jayvon had on the team and how he left his mark on the Heights distance squad. As a sophomore, Jayvon was a  good runner, but by his senior year, he was someone everyone knew when toeing the line on the track. He not only made a name for himself, but helped the distance squad grow and was a leader to many on the team. Coach McNulty described Jayvon as a good kid but definitely a wild one. He had a big personality!

At the 2024 Ned Weingart Relays the Pryor 3200m run was named in Jayvon’s honor. In this year’s field of runners, the senior from NDCL, Anthony Ciecierski, ran a time of 9:54.39 and took home the plaque. Coach McNulty’s message for this race was that all of his athletes have a home to come back to when they leave Heights Track or XC. Time goes by fast, and as those who personally knew Jayvon graduate, his legacy will remain.

Coach McNulty also expressed the importance of wanting his athletes to know that when they leave his program, they are never alone and always a phone call away.  As printed in the Ned Weingart Relays program, “Please remember to reach out for help if  you ever think your life is not worth living by calling 988 or talking to a trusted friend, parent, teacher, or coach.”