Ariel Jones is a basketball player by trade. So that means she should be good at jumping, right?

Well, yes, Jones is good at jumping. But more because of her overall athletic ability than any skill she has developed on the basketball floor.

On Friday and Saturday at the Lancaster-Lebanon Track and Field Championships, at Hempfield High School, the Cedar Crest junior did some different kinds of jumping. But she did it with as much style, grace and effectiveness as she does in her favorite sport.

Jones newly honed jumping skills netted her two golds and a silver at the league meet. The event did not recognize an outstanding female athlete, but if it had, Jones would’ve been in the running.

Saturday morning, Jones captured the high jump competition with an effort of 5-2. Then later in the day, she posted a 17-9.25, more than a foot better than her personal best, to win the long jump event.

Jones actually missed a third gold medal by less than an inch, when she finished as the runner-up to McCaskey’s Precious Reid-White in Friday evening’s triple jump.

But what’s most remarkable about Jones accomplishments is that she’s only been jumping competitively for less than two years.

 – Jeff Falk