East Liverpool’s Julius Jones takes the lead in the Division II 800-meter final at the state track and field meet on Saturday at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. (Photo: Ron Furth)
DAYTON — East Liverpool junior Julius Jones originally took up track and field to stay in shape for soccer and basketball.
Now he has made his mark in Potter track and field history as one of the top half-mile runners in the state.
Jones broke the school record in the 800 meters for the third straight week and on Saturday became just the second East Liverpool boy to do so in the 116-year history of the Ohio High School Track and Field Championships. He placed sixth in the Division II race at Welcome Stadium in a personal best time of 1 minute, 54.69 seconds.
“I plan to take track and field more seriously,” Jones said. “As a freshman, I never would have imagined I’d be running 1 minute 54 seconds at state and winning a medal.”
Jones ran his fastest first lap in 54 seconds, led for the first 700 meters and had the finish line in sight.
“It was a perfect 54. It was the first time I’ve ever done a 54 (on the second opening lap),” Jones said. “I just wanted to keep a strong stride. It’s really hard.”
The rest of the field was ready to attack.
“The last 100 people were doing everything they could to survive,” he said. “They were counting people passing by.”
He joined Steve Williams, who placed sixth in the Class AAA 440-yard dash (49.6) in 1969 as the only East Liverpool boys runner to score at the state meet.
“This is a big milestone,” Jones said. “I’m proud, but I’m certainly not satisfied.”
“My goal was to run 1:54 and I did that. I didn’t get it the second lap. I was going for 1:51 but I just ran out of steam.”
Only two other runners from Columbiana County this century have run better times in the 800 meters, and both were state champions: United’s Caleb Nastali (state-record 1:48.31 in 2023) and Salem’s Patrick Gorby (1:52.48 in 2007).
“I was surprised,” he said. “It’s not where I wanted it to be, but it’s good enough.”
Carroll High School senior Andrew Janson won in 1:52.61. Otsego High School junior Nathan Strahm took second in 1:53.61.
Jones’ time was good enough to win the Division III championship.
“It’s a tough race, mentally and physically,” he said. “It takes a toll on you mentally, so you have to push through.”
Jones ran his fastest times in three races towards the end of the season, including a new record of 1 minute, 54 seconds at the state meet this week.
“It’s just a great experience overall to see what it’s like to compete at this level,” Jones said. “It makes me want to get better.”
I have one goal for next season.
“We know what’s coming next year,” Jones said, “We’re going for a state title, and me and Andrew Janson are going to give it our all.”
State Records
The Division II boys’ 1,600-meter run featured a number of familiar faces.
South Range junior Emmitt Slabak was sixth (4:19.92), Beaver Local junior Jeremiah Moore was 13th (4:26.27) and East Liverpool sophomore Maddox Roach was 14th (4:27.85).
Marlinton High School senior Collin Cernanski won his second title in three years in a personal best time of 4:07.53. He also won the 3,200 meter run (9:13.17).
At 10:12 a.m. Saturday, the event was briefly halted while officials searched the stands for the drone operator. The man was identified by numerous spectators and taken away, and the event resumed a few minutes later.
Jones said he plans to play in the Potters’ summer basketball league before football season starts.
Jones is a cornerback and receiver for the East Liverpool football team, and he’s one of a host of seniors the Potters are counting on this fall under head coach Paul Kasich.
“He’s a great coach and a very inspiring person,” Jones said. “He’s a thoughtful person.”
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