A recent loss to a formidable foe shows Jefferson High's best cross country runner how to win.
By TERRY JONES, Times Correspondent
Published November 11, 2005
Even in elementary school, Evander Jones loved to run far. Now the Jefferson High School senior is on the threshold of winning a state championship and allowing his sport to pay for a college education.
Cross-country is a major part of his life.
Now he has a portfolio of letters from colleges from across the country that want his signature on scholarship offers. Included are several in Florida, the Ivy League and some in the western United States.
He has options, but that's not what's on his mind right now.
In the Class 3A, Region 2 meet last week, he went head-to-head with the top-ranked runner in Florida in his classification, Steven Bell.
"He was behind me most of the race, but I stumbled during the final 300 yards and he passed me," Jones said. "I was unable to catch up, but he beat me by only three seconds. I discovered I have a chance to beat him at state. I believe I have a better kick and I am really going to give it all I have."
Jefferson coach J.L. Wilburn is pleased with his standout runner and happy with the way Jones attracts other runners to cross-country. Especially since Jefferson has developed a reputation as a football-only school.
"He sets a great example just being part of the team, and younger runners join just to be like Evander," Wilburn said. "He always works hard, but he has been working extra hard recently preparing for the state meet. I don't think he realized he could run as well as he did against Bell."
Although he was not able to regain his stride after stumbling at the regional race, he thinks he has learned some things about himself and Bell.
"Steven is a great guy and a super runner, but the intimidation factor is gone from me now," Jones said. "I now feel I can look at him as just another opponent and I feel I can challenge him. I plan to, anyway."
Because he has a 3.0 unweighted GPA, his grades have made him attractive to some of the top colleges around. However, he's still not looking ahead any farther than Saturday's race.
"After the state meet, I will plan my college visits and seriously evaluate the next level of education and running in my life," he said. "Right now I am going through the state race in my mind. I want to be confident in the mental and physical part of the state meet. Then I will evaluate my college options."
