Johnathan Jones Posts Top-10 Finish at NCAA Championships

AUSTIN, Texas – Little Rock jumper Johnathan Jones etched his name in Trojans history once more Friday evening, finishing 10^th at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
 
Jones cleared 2.16m (7-1) on his first attempt in front of a crowd of over 15,000 to move into 10^th as he became the first Little Rock athlete ever to advance to the NCAA Championships in a field event.
 

Congratulations to @LRTrojans @501ovopapa as he finished 10th at the NCAA Track & Field Championships in the high jump, clearing 2.16m (7' 1").

He is the first Trojan ever to advance to the NCAA Championships in a field event.#LittleRocksTeam | #OVCit | #NCAATF pic.twitter.com/mpG5mzjVnj

— Little Rock TF/XC (@LittleRockTFXC) June 10, 2023

 
"With how much I've been through, I can't be anything but grateful," Jones said of his performance Friday. "Injuries constantly, and everything I've been through – so this was a dream."
 
The Little Rock native easily cleared his first attempt at 2.06m (6-9) then went a little wayward in his approach at the second height of 2.11m (6-11). Down to his last attempt at that height, he was able to clear the bar then cleared 2.16m (7-1) on his first try.
 
"I had a couple of misses at 2.11m that really came to bite me, but I put it together in the end. I am forever grateful (for this experience)," Jones said of his struggles at the second height.
 
He went on to miss all three attempts at 2.21m (7-3), a height that would have been a personal best and a new school record. By the tiebreakers, that placed Jones 10^th, one spot ahead of UAPB's Caleb Snowden as well as ahead of Auburn's Dontavious Hill and Texas A&M's Carter Bajoit.
 
Jones was the highest finisher in the event from a Division I-AAA (non-football Division I) school.
 
Even if he didn't finish his Little Rock career on the podium, Jones was able to fulfill a dream of his just by advancing to the top collegiate competition.
 
"It's amazing to go from seeing it on TV for so long then to getting out here now," remarked Jones. "It just kind of shocks you a little bit, so it was just really fun. Honestly, it was a fun environment. I loved it."
 
For the latest information on Little Rock Track & Field, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockTFXC on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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