Big Red’s Jones running to WVU’s track program

STEUBENVILLE -- One of the area's top track and field athletes is on her way to competing at the sport's highest collegiate level.

Big Red standout senior and multi-sport athlete Sabria Jones put pen to paper to make official her commitment to run for West Virginia University's track program Friday morning during a signing ceremony inside the Crimson Commons.

"It's a great opportunity," Jones said. "I've had a love for track since I was three years old. I can't wait.

"Being able to run at the next level has been my goal since I was younger."

Jones was a multi-event state placer last season, including a runner-up in the long jump, and is having another strong campaign for Big Red and coach Andy Kidwell's program.

She has a PR of 12.81 in the 100, 25.28 in the 200 and 17-11.5 in long jump. Those personal marks could be bested as soon as this weekend's OVAC meet.

"It's awsome, I'm so happy for her and her family," Kidwell said. "It's exciting to see someone keep excelling like she has and I'm sure she will do a great job down there (in Morgantown)."

She said she plans to study forensic science, an interest of hers since a project a few years ago, which played a factor in her decision to choose the Mountaineers.

"The academics for the forensic science program and the masters program they have there for sure (played a big role)," she said. "I took a ciminal justice forensics class in seventh grade and we did DNA testing and stuff like that … that got me more and more interested in the field."

For Kidwell, having an athlete go not just to the D1 level, but to a Power 5 school is a big deal and sets the example for those to come after her.

"It's exciting for the program and for the kids, they see the work that she puts in and her work ethic," Kidwell said. "They've seen the work put in by her and the other Division I athletes as an example and want to emulate what those kids are doing."

Going to a Power 5 program, and doing so less than a two-hour drive from home, is exciting for Jones.

"It's great to not be going too far away from home," she said. "I have many friends that are going there and being not too far away from home is great."

She comes from a family with a long tradition of athletic success, which includes Brenten "Inky" Jones, a current member of Ohio State's football program, former Big Red multi-sport standout and college athlete Jorian Jones and former Big Red athlete Nyasha Jones, who has her own name in the school's track record book.

"I have been lucky enough to be involved with coaching two of them and had another (Jones) in class, it's a great family and a very athletic family," Kidwell said. "They're all great kids and great people."

She was also a key member of Big Red's girls basketball team and the three-time state champion cheering squad.

"My family and coaches and friends have been supporting me since I was born, I appreciate all of them so much," Jones added.