Behind William Jones' Star-Raising Turn In The 400m

Who the heck is William Jones?

If you did a quick scan of the boys 400 meter entries and the national rankings entering this weekend's New Balance Nationals Indoor, that certainly would have been a fair question to ask.

After all, Jones had logged just two races this indoor season. His two races happened to be the only two track races Jones had run since the summer of 2019.

But Jones let the nation know just who the heck he was on Saturday afternoon inside the Armory Track. 

The senior from Overland Park, Kansas, who competed for the KC Flyers Track Club ran a U.S. No. 3 time of 46.76 to take second to national champion Justin Braun in the championship field. Braun ran the fourth fastest time in high school history indoors to win in 46.21. Jones was top 15 all-time. 

"It feels great," Jones said of his national runner-up performance. "It's really an eye opener right now."

While Jones laid down his statement race in a big way, there are still many questions that seem to be left unanswered: Primarily, his future and just how track fits into his life. 

You see, Jones' primary focus over the past few years has been baseball.

A utility player across the field, Jones is a speedy lead-off hitter. He's committed to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where -- for now -- baseball will remain his primary focus.

But sub-47 quarter milers don't come along very often.

In fact, only 10 high schoolers have ever run faster than Jones' 46.76 on a 200-meter indoor track.

Perhaps it's a conversation Jones and his camp will have to have at some point, but for now they are having fun with the journey.

"At the moment, he's just enjoying it," said Dwane Pierre, his coach with the KC Flyers. "Right now, he's sort of weighing certain things. He hasn't soaked this in yet -- this is a big thing."

Jones has always had speed. In the summer of 2019, before entering his ninth grade year, Jones ran a time of 49.39 to win the 400m at the USATF Region 9 Championships in Kansas.

"Track was in my mind since eighth grade," Jones said. "Pretty much my whole entire baseball game is about speed. I always knew I was good at track, I just never applied it as much as I do now."

Pierre wasn't surprised by Jones' sub-47 clocking.

"All along, we've know the potential is there," he said.

Baseball, coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, has prevented him from really getting after track before this indoor season. After all, baseball is played in the spring. Track is contested in the spring. 

But Pierre and Jones got to work in earnest this winter, training for his year. Pierre has been focused on keeping his star pupil healthy.

Still, he described his training regimen for Jones as "robust."

"From a conditioning standpoint, he's getting stronger," Pierre said. "One of the things we're doing is just taking it day-by-day."

Pierre has even bigger plans for Jones over the outdoor season. He's eyeing a trip to the World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Columbia. 

A performance like his on Saturday brings a goal like that more clearly into view.

Especially when you consider that he's only logged five races total in his high school career.

"It gets me really excited. I want to get on the track and see how fast I can go in outdoor," said Jones, who will compete for Blue Valley High School in Overland Park.

"He's a hidden gem," Pierre said. "This is his second meet, but third and fourth races, and he's got a lot more to come."

Jones maybe isn't quite a hidden gem so much anymore after Saturday.

And maybe afterward Jones' phone will start ringing more with some curious college coaches on the other end.

Jones contends his plans still involve Southern and baseball.

"Well, you never know," Pierre added. "Just watch out and see what lies ahead."