Nick Jones

Height:
6-3
Weight:
240
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Amarillo

NCAA Division II titles (3): 2008: discus throw. 2009: discus throw. 2011: discus throw.

LSC titles (5): 2008: discus throw. 2009: shot put, discus throw. 2011: shot put, discus throw

2010-11 (junior): Named 2011 NCAA Division II national field Athlete of the Year by U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association after also winning the same award for the South Central Region. Very talented thrower who helped Wildcats win 18th straight league title and repeat indoor NCAA win with outdoor title at NCAA Division II national meet at CSU-Stanislaus in Turlock. Also named 2011 LSC outstanding field Athlete of the Year. At the league meet in Stephenville he won third title in discus throw with 189-9 and second title in shot put with 57-5.5. This season in May in Commerce he could become only seventh 3-time SP winner and third 4-time DT winner in league history. And in May in Pueblo he could become first 4-time DT winner in NCAA Division II history. At the NCAA Division II outdoor meet he improved to 62-0.25 for runner-up in shot put and captured third national title in discus with 199-4 (60.75) for meet record. Topped 60 meters for second time in DT, but inclement weather likely denied Jones his chance at 200 feet. His SP series at Stanislaus was 57-11.25, foul, foul, 60-9.5, 58-2.5 and 62-0.25. His DT series in the rain was 198-10, 192-1, 199-3, 164-7, foul, foul. He dominated from the start and had three longest throws of competition with two meet record throws. Two other meets over 60 in shot with 60-8.5 at Mt. SAC for second and 60-3.25 at UNT in Denton for first (won 5 of 9 meets in SP). His outstanding season in discus throw included 5 wins in 11 meets with six meets over 190 feet. And he saved his best for last in Turlock. He also threw 198-7 to win ACU twilight, 195-4 for runner-up at Texas Tech, 194-6 for ninth at USA championships in Eugene, 193-0 for sixth at Elite Discus Classic in Lubbock and 190-3 for win at Mt. SAC. His other win was 188-6 at Baylor (sixth at Texas Relays university section in 187-2). Jones contributed five points to the Wildcats’ victory in the NCAA Division II indoor championships in Albuquerque. He placed fourth in the shot put at 59-10.5 (18.25) as ACU’s “fab four” defeated runner-up Ashland’s 22-member team 49-42 for the trophy. Other 2011 indoor performances included 58-11.25 to win at UNM, 58-3.75 to win at Sooner invitational, 57-9.5 for runner-up at Texas Tech Jan. 22 and 57-0.75 for win at Texas Tech Jan. 15. Won 3 of 6 indoor meets in 2011.

2009-10 (junior): Redshirt during outdoor season for the two-time NCAA Division II national champion in the discus throw. Failed to make finals in USA national meet in Des Moines June 25 after throwing 173-10 (52.99) for 17th place. Selected to USA under-23 team for NACAC championships in Miramar, Fla., where he won bronze medal July 9 with fifth-round throw of 187-1 (57.03) for third place. For ACU during indoor season, he posted top mark of 55-4.75 in shot put (Norman). Also finalist at Texas Tech and New Mexico.

2008-09 (sophomore): Indoors finished seventh at NCAA national meet in Houston in 56-2.5 in shot put after win at Oklahoma. Outdoors improved to 56-6.5 for sixth at Texas Relays-university division, seventh at NCAA Division II national meet and wins at LSC meet in Kingsville in 55-6.25 and Texas Relays-college division in 55-11.75. Twice runner-up in SP at Baylor meets. Won five of eight meets in discus throw. Had dramatic come-from-behind victory in San Angelo to repeat as NCAA Division II national champion in discus. He was early leader after rain in San Angelo at 54.44m (178-7), but Jones was overtaken by top-seeded Aleksas Abromavicius, Lithuanian from Grand Valley State, in final round with 54.51m (178-10). Jones on final throw of competition reached 55.51m (182-1) for title. Also won discus at LSC meet (with season best of 183-6), Baylor, ACU triangular and Angelo State. Placed seventh at Texas Relays.

2008 ACU Football (freshman): Backup defensive lineman on Wildcat team that reached quarterfinals with top national ranking of second. Had 19 tackles (11 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 QB sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Had 2 tackles, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in narrow QF loss to Northwest Missouri State. ACU?finished with 11-1 record and first outright Lone Star Conference championship since 1973.

2007-08 (freshman): In first outdoor season at ACU had top marks of 53-3.75 in shot and 186-11 in discus to win the NCAA Division II title in Walnut, Calif. At LSC meet he won DT with toss of 174-10 and finished fourth in SP at 51-3. Other highlights included 52-8.25 for SP win and 173-3 for DT win at Baylor. Also threw 178-7 for fifth in DT at Texas Relays.

2007 ACU Football (freshman): Redshirt as freshman defensive end on Wildcats’ nationally-ranked team in NCAA Division II.

High School: Threw 62-10 as senior in 2007 to rank No. 1 in Texas and No. 16 in the nation in shot put. Won district at 61-6, regional at 61-1.5 and state at 59-8.25. As junior in 2006 won District 2-5A in 55-5.25 and finished second in Region I-5A in 58-8.5 and third at state at 58-5.75. Also first team all-district defensive end in football as senior in 2006 for team that made 5A playoffs for first time since 1997. Finished with 73 tackles, 11 QB sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception. Also second team all-state by Associated Press and first team all-region.

Personal: Born 22 June 1989. 2007 graduate of Tascosa High School in Amarillo.