George Walton Comprehensive junior looks to make third straight American U-20 roster, but still in search of first USATF Junior title after narrow losses the past two years

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Tia Jones is only a high school junior and already has her sights set on qualifying for a third consecutive U-20 national team Saturday at the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships in Bloomington, Ind.

WATCH THE LIVE WEBCAST OF THE USATF JUNIOR OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

That’s because the George Walton Comprehensive GA standout changed the landscape of the 100-meter hurdles at the high school and World U18 levels two years ago at the same meet in Clovis, Calif.

Jones, then a freshman, ran a wind-legal 12.84 seconds in the qualifying round June 25, 2016, to not only eclipse the 2014 national high school record of 12.92 set by George Washington CO star Dior Hall, but to also lower the World U18 record of 12.95 held by fellow American Candy Dixon that had stood since 1979.

“Back in Clovis, that was a very smooth race, barely any problems. That 12.84 meant a new beginning to me. I finally hit the high-12 that I was looking for and from that point, I just knew it was destined for me to keep dropping times,” Jones said. “Because of that day, I have the confidence and grind to go 12.5 or 12.6, which is my goal.”

Although she was edged by former DeSoto TX standout and current Tennessee sophomore Alexis Duncan by a 13.04 to 13.05 margin in the final later that night at Buchanan High’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jones went on to secure a bronze medal in 12.89 the following month at the IAAF World U-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Anna Cockrell took second to Jones in the 100 hurdles qualifying round and third overall in the final, in addition to placing second in the 400 hurdles behind World U20 record holder Sydney McLaughlin in between on that memorable night. Even with McLaughlin, who went on to make the Rio Olympics that summer in the 400 hurdles, also competing in Clovis, all the buzz that day throughout the stadium was regarding Jones.

“My memory of the race was just trying to get through to the final. I had the 100 hurdles semis, 400 hurdles finals, then the 100 hurdles finals that day. So really, I just wanted to make it to the next round,” Cockrell said. “And I just remember I had to RUN. Tia was moving.”

Since then, former Agoura talent and Georgia freshman Tara Davis ran a wind-aided 12.83 last year for the fastest all-conditions time ever by a prep athlete, but no high school competitor has come within one-tenth of Jones’ record with a wind-legal effort.

“I think Tia absolutely changed the game for U20 hurdlers. Until that point, low 13s was the standard for excellence. And now all of a sudden, not only is 12.9 not good enough, but we’ve got a (freshman) like Tia hitting 12.8?” Cockrell said. “I think it helped further spark the strength of young short hurdlers overall, making the event incredibly strong on all levels and raising the standard for everyone.”

USC freshman Chanel Brissett, a former Cheltenham PA standout who ran 12.95 at the 2016 Olympic Trials, finished sixth in that USATF Junior final in Clovis in 13.29, after clocking 13.13 in her qualifying heat.

Brissett has since lowered her personal best to 12.75 to win the Pac-12 title May 13 at Stanford, elevating her to the No. 2 performer in World U20 history behind only USC teammate Hall, who set the record by running 12.74 to place third at the 2015 NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Jones ranks fourth all-time among World U20 performers, just behind former UTEP star and last year’s NCAA Division 1 champion Tobi Amusan – who captured Commonwealth Games gold for Nigeria in April – running 12.83 in 2016.

“As far as the matchup between Tia and Chanel this weekend, the talent both of them have is undeniable,” Cockrell said. “I’ve never trained with Tia, but after a year with Chanel, I’ve just watched how naturally gifted she is and she’ll be even more of a force as she grows and matures. If they’re both on their ‘A’ game when they race, that record is going down.”

Jones, who won the New Balance Nationals Indoor title in the 60-meter hurdles March 11 in 8.05, is the national high school leader this year in the 100 hurdles at 13.03.

Despite her international medals and impressive records, Jones is still seeking her first USATF Junior Outdoor title, being edged in last year’s final in Sacramento by Tara Davis by a 13.01 to 13.02 margin.

In addition to Brissett and Tara Davis, Jones will also have to contend with Florida State freshman Cortney Davis, who improved to No. 7 all-time among World U20 performers by clocking 12.86 in the semifinals at the NCAA Division 1 Outdoor Championships.

Although she hasn’t faced any significant competition in the 100 hurdles since winning the Pan American U20 gold medal in 13.01 in July in Trujillo, Peru, Jones isn’t concerned about that being a factor in her preparation for Saturday’s races.

“I feel great, healthy as a horse and I am looking forward to this weekend. I’m looking for mid- to high-12s. But with the grace of God, anything is possible,” Jones said. “I definitely love more competition, just a better opportunity to drop my time lower. I am very patient. I don’t rush anything, I’m just taking my time to improve my technique. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily been hard through the past two years to wait for this meet, like I said anything is possible and I’m ready to shock the world.”