Miami Southridge senior Alyssa Jones became the sixth girl to win four events at the Florida state high school track and field championships last weekend and cemented herself as one of the most well-rounded athletes in state history.

 

Jones, a Stanford commit, ran her season-best time in the 100 meters, 11.70, and a new personal best in the 200 meters, 23.49, on the way to state titles in both events.

 

On top of her track speed, Jones also won the high jump competition for the third time in her high school career (a fourth was wiped out in 2020 by COVID-19), clearing 5-9.75 (1.77m).

 

In perhaps her best event, the long jump, she broke the state meet record with 20-11.50 (6.38m) on the way to defending her title.

 

Jones is entered to compete at New Balance Nationals Outdoor, June 16-19, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pa., where she will once again vie for a national championship.

 

In March, after the outdoor season had begun in the Sunshine State, Jones traveled to New York City for New Balance Nationals Indoor and jumped a personal-best 21-0.75 (6.41m) to puncture the 21-foot barrier for the first time.

 

Competing for South Dade Express Track Club at NBNI, Jones said she made the trip to take advantage of the championship setting.

 

"We don't run indoor a lot, so to come to an indoor meet, and it be the national meet, it's (to feel) the atmosphere, the people, the other runners who are going fast as well, it was really fun," Jones said.

 

Jones may yet enter a sprint race, but for now she's aiming at an indoor-outdoor sweep of the long jump and also contending for the high jump crown.

 

Jones' best high jump performance of the season, 5-11.75 (1.82m), has her at US#7 this spring. 

 

Her 40 points at the Florida state meet helped elevate Southridge to a runner-up finish as the Spartans scored a total of 76 points. 

 

New Balance National Outdoor takes place at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, PA Thursday through Sunday, June 16-19. Get full meet information at nbnationals.com.