Jonathan Jones Gets Ready For 2016!

Jonathan Jones is a 24 year old American shot putter that represents Buffalo University and has a personal best of 20.92 set at the USA championships

Some of his career highlights to date are

• 2015 USATF Outdoor Championships, 5th (shot put)
• 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships, 1st (shot put)
• 2015 Penn Relays, 2nd
• 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships, 3rd (shot put)
• 2015 Mid-American Outdoor Championships, 1st (shot put)
• 2014 NCAA Outdoor Championships, 4th (shot put)
• 2014 Penn Relays, 3rd (shot put)

As quoted by the head coach of track and field Jones is know to have a “work ethic of a champion” which proves that the sky is the limit for the extremely talented Buffalo University graduate.

Jones training week generally consists of ‘ 4 days lifting (Monday-heavy upper, Tuesday- speed lower, Thursday-speed upper, Friday- heavy lower) within those days I usually pick 2 or 3 days to throw and 2 days for drilling. At this point I don’t usually count my throws but try and get as many quality throws in as possible then when I become fatigued I cut it off and drill.’

When asked about his favourite gym exercise Jones replied ‘I would honestly have to say, for myself at least, the bench. This past year I had to fight through my knee being messed up, because of this I really had to focus on getting my upper body strength up.’

A common question around programming for a thrower is the different weighted throwing implements used in training. Jones and his coach seem to have a very simple and fool proof way to use different weight shots to create optimal results with the competition shot. ‘My coach has many different ways to use differentiating weight while throwing, depending on our level of competition and where we are during the season. During off season I mainly work with the eighteen for my stand throws and wheels, after those I usually drop down to a 17 or 16 for full throws. During season I will usually use the 17 for warmups then drop to a 15 to work position, speed, and separation.’

We asked Jones about why he thought the NCAA was such a successful breeding ground for athletes and shot putters especially.

‘I wouldn’t put it on the NCAA but more on the coaches that coach in the NCAA. I think being able to pick the right coach for your self is huge in being successful, but a lot of the times it’s hard to determine if the coach will be a good fit for you from high school. I believe I was lucky with what I came across with my coach at UB, we clicked from day one. Would I be where I was without my coach? No.’

It is easy to see the respect and relationship Jones has with throwing coach Jim Garnham Sr and this athlete coach relationship is often over looked. When both parties get along and share similar ideas then a very successful relationship will take place which generally takes athletes to greatness.

A video outlining Jones’ NCAA championship win and other footage can be seen below

Jonathan Jones words that “hard work does pay off” and “don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it” could not be truer and with this philosophy we are confident we will be seeing this 24 year olds name up in lights in years to come!