With one season left, Dani Jones (Desert Vista) already has the resumé to make her the best female prep athlete in Arizona History.
It all starting coming together for Jones in 2012, as a sophomore, when she finished 7 seconds behind Xavier's Sarah Fakler at the Foot Locker West Regionals. At the time, Fakler was Arizona's best female runner and Jones finished a minute behind her at the Twilight Meet but as her confidence grew - her times improved.
By the time her sophomore year was over, Jones had two State Titles in Track; one in the 800 with a time of 2:12.08 and the other in the 1600 in 4:51.17.
As she moved into cross country her junior year she continued building her confidence with an undefeated season in-state and an Arizona XC State Title.
Her momentum continued into track but an injury sidelined her until the Arcadia Invitational in California last April where she finished 2nd in the mile in 4:50.81 just shy of the 1600 Arizona State Record.
With determination in her heart she raced the 1600 at the Arizona State Meet with only one thing on her mind.....breaking the 15 year old State Record of 4:49.11 set by Sara Gorton from Mountain Pointe.
Jones crossed the finish line in 4:48.73 with a new State Record and a cheering crowd which included Sarah Gorton who joined her at the finish line.
Jones also won the 3200 with a PR of 10:34.16 and PR'd in the 800 with an Arizona #3 time mark of 2:09.24.
Two weeks later Jones flew to Florida for the Golden South Classic and a chance at a Golden Ticket Invitation to the Adidas Grand Prix dream mile. With 200 meters to go Jones moved from 6th place to a photo finish win with a time of 4:50.49 over Lucy Biles (4:50.54) and Ryen Frazier (4:50.91).
On June 14th, Dani Jones finished 3rd in the Adidas Dream Mile with an incredible US#4 time of 4:43.40 for a full mile and a 4:41.04 converted 1600 time - an 8 second PR!
Jones just finished an impressive cross country season with another State Title.
Her 4th place finish at the Nike Southwest Regionals earned her a trip to Nike Nationals along with her team where she placed 3rd and the team placed 5th.
Jones will be running with the buffaloes at the Colorado University Boulder in the fall -but until then we look forward to watching her final prep season in track!
