By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
Stanhope Elmore High School Senior Tristen Jones is coming off a historic junior season running cross country for the Mustangs. As a junior, Jones set several school records. Jones finished in 1st place at the Fear the Flame Race in Opelika. He also finished in 1st place in the sectionals for Class 6A Section 2 at Auburn High School. In the race, Jones’ twin brother, Dominic, finished 2nd place just two-tenths of a second behind.
“It felt great to come in first across our entire section,” said Jones, “but also relieving that I had come out on top of my brother. Though we work together, there is still of course a little competition between me and my brother.”
The strong finish by the Jones’ boys led the Mustangs to the boys’ team first ever sectionals championship. “It felt so great to set that milestone at our school. Myself and my team and my coaches especially worked so hard this last year to earn that and I think we deserved it as we pushed ourselves the whole season and trained hard to get there. Our girls won first place for the first time in school history the year before so I was happy to be a part of the team that won it for the boys,” said Jones.
During the season, Jones also set the SEHS school record, and a personal best, with a time of 17:18.
With a couple of first place finishes and a couple of school records under his belt for his junior campaign, Jones was one of only 10 rising seniors selected to compete in Cross Country for the South squad in the Alabama High School Athletic Association All-Star Weekend. He took part in the AHSAA Cross-Country All-Star Meet held at Gateway Park in Montgomery.
“It was such an amazing experience meeting these more experienced runners and hearing about their experiences with the sport and how they’re preparing for the next season,” said Jones. “I learned a lot from the race itself and the experience as a whole.”
Near the end of the run, Jones’ twin brother Dominic ran up beside him for motivation to finish strong. Jones spoke about the closeness, and competitiveness, of their relationship. “Me and my brother are definitely each other’s biggest motivators. Since we started cross country, we have always pushed each other with training but also words of encouragement, as this is also a mental sport too. The competitive aspect is also helpful in pushing each other, and I always have my better half that I know I have to do better than, which is something I’m very grateful for. Having someone there to push me and compete with while also being there and supporting me makes me so thankful for him and our relationship.”
With the AHSAA All Star weekend complete, Jones will continue running approximately 10 miles a week to stay in shape until training begins in earnest for his senior season. “I think our team for sure wants to keep our sectional champion title, but we also want to keep improving and training hard. Cross country is a team sport, so I think it’s important to have a team goal of pushing each other and working hard together.”
Jones also has some individual goals, and records, he wants to set in his senior season for the Mustangs.
“I personally want to show out this season and run every race like it’s my last. This is my senior year so I for sure want to keep pushing and break 17 minutes this year, and possibly even 16 minutes if I get close enough.”
