BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisuns@gbtribune.com
PITTSBURG — The legacy of Pittsburg State's 2-time NCAA Div. 2 decathlon champion Hunter Jones started with a tragedy.
The life perspective of the Nickerson High graduate shifted dramatically after a horrific July 2022 traffic accident that claimed the life of his father Trey, ruined the promising basketball career of his sister Ava Jones and made life a living nightmare for his mom Amy Jones, who sustained life-altering injuries.
Hunter grew up up fast, making life-changing decisions on behalf of family members.
"It was different helping my family," Hunter said. "I had no other choice. No one else was going to do it. Something in your mind takes over. I didn't have to think about things. You've got to get the job done in certain moments."
Hunter relied on his belief system to get through tough times.
"I had faith there was a bigger picture that's at hand. I believe God works in mysterious ways, but you may not see it. Watching my dad pass away and seeing my sister lose her basketball career was tough. My mom lost her husband."
Once the nightmare of 2022 was over, Hunter dedicated his life to being the best person and best decathlete he could be.
"Something switched in my brain," he said. "I couldn't let anything slip by without giving it 100 percent. Everything clicked. Now, I represent my family because of everything they've lost. There's things that my sister can't do anymore. I had an opportunity. I'm not going to let my family down."
Hunter Jones captured a state high jump title, along with his mother Amy, father Trey and sister Ava who also won state high jump titles.
Defending NCAA Div. 2 decathlon champion Jones faced an uphill climb in the recent 2-day decathlon after a lackluster day 1 at Pueblo, Colo.
He trailed West Texas' Romer Vahter by 255 points after three events, and was behind Azusa Pacific's Lincoln Krog (-107) and Angelo State's Mark Burdin (-161).
"After day 1, I needed a decent miracle to pop up to first place," he said. "I dug myself a deep hole. But I high jumped 7-feet, one-quarter inch to gain 33 points."
Jones gained 140-to-167 points on his challengers in the high jump, 89 to 220 pole vault points and critical gains on Burden (plus 38) and Krog (plus 62) in the discus.
A 761-point throw of 146-8 in the discus swung the momentum.
"Day 2 came down to discus," he said. "A couple guys fumbled that event and allowed me to squeeze back into contention. I focused on one event at a time. A few events worked out well."
Jones' positive outlook paid dividends for Pittsburg State's team, which captured the Div. 2 men's track title.
"Everything lined up second day," he said. "My competitors didn't do as well as they're capable. I competed to the best of my ability day 2."
Jones' margin was tight. His 7,639 final point total was 32 better than Krog, 57 higher than Burdin and 218 ahead of Vahter.
"At 4,700 feet, you're tired quicker because of a lack of oxygen," he said. "The 1,500 meters is the toughest event, a 6-second difference from sea level. I wanted to stay with Angelo State and watch the Azusa Pacific runner."
Jones was able to overcome the expectations of a defending national champion.
"The decathlon represents life. When I had a terrible long jump and shot put, I left it behind. You focus on the task at hand. I got back into it over 7 feet in the high jump. I put everything into my goal. I unlocked my potential."
Jones carries the tragic memories of 2022 close to his heart.
"I thank God for giving me the opportunity," he said. "My family lives through what I do. I want to represent my dad to show the show the man he was, and the way he raised us. I'm competing for my teammates and my family."
Jones qualifies for the decathlon event at the USA Track Championships, July 30-Aug. 1 at Eugene, Ore.
