Second fastest in the state

Milano High School senior Parker Jones placed second at the UIL 2A State Cross Country Championship in Round Rock on Saturday.

Jones ran a time of 15:29.58 in the 5,000 meter, four seconds behind winner Steven Quintanilla of Sundown.

Jones, Quintanilla, and Duncan Naylor from Great Hearts-San Antonio were side-by-side for the first two and half miles of the race, said Jordan Merkord, MHS head cross country coach.

In the final half-mile, Jones took the lead until the last 100 meters, when Quintanilla passed Jones and won a third gold medal.

Jones’ time was the third fastest run at the boy’s state 2A meet.

“Parker was absolutely exhausted at the end of the race,” Merkord said. “He ran the best 5K time he’s ever run.

“He’s worked unbelievably hard these past couple of years, and it’s great to see him being rewarded for all the time he’s put in.”

With all his accomplishments, and his record time, Jones has many college coaches interested in making him a part of their teams, he said.

“He has a big decision to make,” Merkord said. “It’s still up in the air, and after running a blistering 15:29 at state, he has even more schools interested. He actually had a few coaches approach him after the race.”