Jones signs with Tampa to continue track career
Mar. 7—Nadia Jones has been part some great individual and team achievements while running for the Lebanon Tigers.
Now the Lebanon senior will take her talents to the next level. The Tiger runner is heading to the University of Tampa to continue her academic and track careers.
She had a signing ceremony at the school on Thursday afternoon.
"I'm really excited to get it finalized," Jones said. "It's a big weight lifted off my shoulders to finally get it done. I'm excited to get to Tampa and get to run there."
Tampa is an NCAA Division II school that competes in the Sunshine State Conference.
The Spartans are coached by Logan Wells.
Jones said there were several things about the school that stood out to her during her recruiting process.
"I liked the location, I really like the beach," Jones said. "The coach was really welcoming, and I got to run with the girls when I visited and they were really nice. I really liked the area."
Jones is the school record holder for the Tigers in the 800 (2:25.37) and as part of the 4x800 relay (9:50.06). She was a conference champion in both events last year and is also a three-time first-team all-conference selection in cross country.
She helped the Tigers win conference titles in 2021 in track and 2022 and 2023 in cross country.
She will primarily be an 800 runner in college, and said she is excited to get to work this spring and then in college.
"He thinks he can get my times a little bit faster to get me competitive in some of those bigger meets," Jones said. "He saw the potential and thinks there are some things he can fix with my form to help me drop time."
This spring, Jones has some big goals for her final competitive track season.
"I want to get the 4x400 record too, and really I just want to have a good last season," Jones said.
When she looks back at her time at Lebanon, Jones said there are some things that will always stick with her.
And she is proud of being part of some teams that broke through some barriers in both cross country and track.
"Coach Shelley and Dale (West) have had a huge impact on my life, along with my teammates," Jones said. "They have made it all worth it. It's been cool to have some of those experiences and have that on my belt to be an inspiration — that's what I take it as."
Jones plans on studying nursing to be NICU nurse.
Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.
