Hayes JONES

Although at 5-11 (1.80) Hayes Jones seemingly lacked the height for a world-class hurdler, he made up for this apparent handicap with an explosive start and blazing speed on the flat. On the indoor circuit his exceptional starting abilities put him on his way to six AAU titles and he won 55 consecutive indoor races from March 1959 through his retirement in 1964. Jones' speed on the flat earned him a share in a world 4×100 m relay record (with Frank Budd, Paul Drayton, and the non-Olympian Charles Frazier) in 1961 and over the high hurdles he won the AAU title a record five times. He was also Pan American Games and NCAA champion in 1959. At the 1959 PanAm Games he was also on the gold medal winning 4×100 m relay team (with Ray Norton and the non-Olympians Robert Poynter and Bill Woodhouse). After his retirement Jones served as director of recreation for New York City for two years before returning to private business.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.4 (1957); 220y – 20.9s (1959); 110H – 13.63 (1963); HJ – 6-4¼i (1.93) (1957); LJ – 24-0½ (7.31) (1957).