Thompson’s Jace Jones commits to Alabama

Published 10:44 am Thursday, October 3, 2019

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor 

ALABASTER – One of the best distance runners in the state recently announced his college commitment decision.

Thompson’s Jace Jones, who has cemented himself as one of the best cross country and track and field distance runners over the last three years, officially committed to the University of Alabama on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

“I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today if it weren’t for my family, friends, teammates, and most importantly the man upstairs,” Jones said on Twitter before adding a “Roll Tide!”

Through two cross country events this season, Jones has claimed the top spot in each, winning the difficult Chickasaw Trails Invitational, while also winning the Shelby County Championship.

In the win at Chickasaw, Jones not only set a personal record time of 15:50.93, but beat out a large field of 304 runners from some of the state’s best teams as well as other teams from outside of the state.

Jones followed that up with a championship win at the Shelby County meet where he finished with a time of 16:13.86 to beat 181 of the county’s best athletes.

During his 2018 cross country season, Jones had seven top 10 finishes, four top five finishes, three top three finishes and a win at the Shelby County Championship. He also ran well in 2017 as a sophomore with four top 10 finishes and three second place finishes.

But his improvement has been clear through just two events this year, not only improving his time but also picking up a win at the Chickasaw meet.

Jones, however, is still hoping to improve each week this season so he can finish strong. Last season, he ran his slowest time in the AHSAA State Championship, which marked the only time he didn’t finish a race in less than 17 minutes.

This year, he’s hoping to get redemption, and it has shown early in the season.

Jones has also been dominant running both indoor and outdoor track and field.

During this past season, combined between indoor and outdoor, he was able to claim seven top five finishes in the 1,600-meter run, seven top 10 finishes in the 800-meter run and five top 10 finishes in the 3,200-meter run. He also won two 3,200-meter races, two 1,600-meter races and one 800-meter race.

With several weeks left in the cross country season and the entire track and field season still ahead, Jones still has more time to put up flashy numbers, but has already proven he’s one of the best in the state.