By Julia Lobaina
University of Colorado junior Dani Jones led the pack in the last lap of the national women’s 1,500 meters at Hayward Field on Friday, winning the race with a new PR of 4 minutes, 7.74 seconds in her first Prefontaine Classic.
During the last 200 meters, Jones distanced herself from runner-up Alexa Efraimson, who crossed the line at 4:08.70, and third-place finisher Cory McGee, who finished in 4:09.09.
As a collegiate runner who is redshirting this outdoor track season and competing in the big leagues, Jones fixes her mentality as if she is competing back at her home field in Colorado. Having this mindset allows her to control her nerves.
In a previous professional meet, Jones let her emotions and observations get the best of her. “I did a pro meet at indoors,” she said, “and I let myself be intimidated by people who were professionals, who were older and who had more experience.
“But today, I just went in and treated it like an NCAA meet, and I’m just going to go to win and see what happens.”
Jones was content with her time, but she sensed that she could do better, that she had more to give and improve on at upcoming races.
“Yeah, it feels good,” she said. “I think I’m in better shape and I think I can run faster, but I am happy with how I executed the race. It’s a good set in the right direction.”
Jones finished fifth in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA championships last season, and then finished 10th in NCAA cross country last fall and second in the NCAA indoor 1,500 meters in February. She decided to redshirt the outdoor season.
After her victory, Jones applauded her teammates and competitors for helping her become the runner she is today.
“I’m successful because of the amazing runners I am surrounded by,” she said. “Three of my teammates just qualified for nationals and the 10K.”
Looking ahead, Jones is ready to get back to the Portland Track Festival, where she is the defending champion.
“I’m the luckiest collegiate in the world,” she said.
