Teagan Jones '18 Recruiting Profile

My goal is to continue running through college to improve myself as well as being a value-added member of my team. As a ARMY brat, change has become a way of life that has indefinitely shaped my character. This lifestyle has made me increasingly resilient and easily adaptable to any situation. The ARMY has made me tenacious, mentally strong, dedicated and dependable.  My determination and motivations are prodded by a team environment and constructive criticism. I like to exceed expectations.  A criticism that continues to inspire and push me was a previous teammate who told me to give up on breaking 25 min in the 5k because it could never happen. The next XC season I made leaps and bounds making my current PR. This upcoming XC season I will improve even more.    

I didn't start running until high school. Freshmen year I reluctantly joined a track team in Florida. Running had been one of my least favorite endeavors, but I soon found a passion. My first XC season was sophomore year after much convincing. I still didn't think distance was my forte, but I found a whole new world junior year. I shaved 3 minutes off of my 5K and ran my first 3200 and steeple chase races - both of which I enjoyed much more then I had expected. Running has taught me that I was so much stronger then I thought. I continue to improve my endurance speed and other such skills to become better and better at the sport I love. I look forward to my college career where I can continue to achieve my academic and athletic goals.