100m Hurdle National Record Holder Tia Jones To Turn Pro

[br]

"Three independent professional coaches in track and field have confirmed with MileSplit.com that Tia Jones, a senior at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia and the high school national record holder in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.84, will forego her college commitment to the University of Oregon and turn professional."

https://www.milesplit.com/articles/254514-100m-hurdle-national-record-holder-tia-jones-to-turn-pro

[Atticus]

"Three independent professional coaches in track and field have confirmed with MileSplit.com that Tia Jones, a senior at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia and the high school national record holder in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.84, will forego her college commitment to the University of Oregon and turn professional."

I know we (I!!) always have to pronounce our judgements upon HS kids who forgo the NCAA route, and I really am trying to be circumspect and see it from her (her parents?) perspective, but I do indeed have misgivings.

But . . . if she does get a decent contract that INCLUDES college tuition/room/board/expenses . . . AND she goes to college while training as a professional . . . THEN this could be an excellent decision. I certainly hope so.

[aaronk]

It sounds like she's already signed.
Thus, her final year of track at her HS will NOT be eligible for HSR's or lists!!

[gh]

This reads like she doesn't have a shoe deal yet, no? "Turning pro"without the guarantee of a good contract seems like an iffy way to go. Hopefully she does have one in hand.

[Conor Dary]

This reads like she doesn't have a shoe deal yet, no? "Turning pro"without the guarantee of a good contract seems like an iffy way to go. Hopefully she does have one in hand.

That's pretty dumb if she doesn't.....and the article mentions nothing about a shoe contract...

[Atticus]

That's pretty dumb if she doesn't.....

Sydney McL turned pro without a shoe deal in place, but Tia isn't quite yet a Sydney.

[cladthin]

She signed yesterday in Atlanta.

[18.99s]

She's 18, and it's 2019, but her PR of 12.84 was back in 2016. I don't think her contract is worth a lot of money.

[Powell]

She's 18, and it's 2019, but her PR of 12.84 was back in 2016.

That's true, but she wasn't far off with 12.89 last year and she took the 2018 world U20 title. Not a sure bet (like any teenager), but still a good prospect for the future.