Jones’ ‘old-school’ approach working at Spring Valley

COLUMBIA -- In some ways, the sport of high school cross country in South Carolina has changed over the past decade or so; training technique has improved, venues are better suited to the sport, performance equipment is better and timing is more precise than ever, to name a few.

But, when you ask Spring Valley’s John Jones what’s different about cross country today, he’ll tell it’s pretty much the same sport it was when he first started coaching more than 30 years ago.

“I don’t think cross country has changed at all,” Jones recently told scrunners.com. “It is still a sport that challenges each runner with his own demons. You still must be self-disciplined to be successful and you still don’t have to be the best pure athlete to be the best. You can still be as good as you are willing to work.”

Jones, a 1973 graduate of West Point, is in his 33rd year as cross country and track coach, all of them at Spring Valley High.  And, while the essence of cross country remains unchanged i...