LANDOVER, Md. – In a significant announcement at the conclusion of the United East Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships, Dina Jones, a sophomore from Waldorf, Maryland, attending St. Mary’s College, has been named the recipient of the prestigious United East Conference Elite 20 Award in women’s indoor track & field. This announcement was made on February 26, highlighting Jones’s remarkable achievement in balancing academic excellence with athletic prowess.
The Elite 20 Award, established during the 2022-23 academic year, recognizes the student-athlete with the highest grade point average (GPA) among those competing in the final stages of conference tournaments or championships. In team sports, the award goes to an athlete from one of the top two teams, while for individual sports, it’s awarded based on the top two finishers in the team standings. Notably, recipients of this accolade are not required to be starters or key players but must be competing members of their team’s roster, with a minimum academic standing of a sophomore and in their second year of competition at their current institution.
Jones has distinguished herself both in the classroom and on the track. She boasts an impressive 3.95 cumulative GPA as an English major, a testament to her dedication and hard work. Her academic achievements have previously been recognized with her inclusion on the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in 2023, and she has consistently made the Dean’s List every semester since her arrival at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM).
Athletically, Jones has demonstrated her skills and determination, contributing to her team’s success at the United East Championships. She was part of the distance medley relay team that finished in fourth place and also competed individually in the 800m run, securing a 10th place finish. These accomplishments are indicative of her commitment to excellence across her collegiate pursuits.
St. Mary’s College showcased their athletic talent by securing a second-place finish at the United East championship meet, amassing a total of 135.5 points. This achievement underscores the strength and depth of the college’s indoor track & field team, and Jones’s individual contributions both academically and athletically serve as a shining example of the dual commitments to sports and studies that the Elite 20 Award seeks to honor.
The recognition of Jones with the Elite 20 Award not only celebrates her personal achievements but also highlights the importance of academic achievement in collegiate athletics. It serves as a reminder of the value of balancing athletic commitments with academic responsibilities, a principle that is at the core of the student-athlete experience. Jones’s story is an inspiration to fellow athletes and students alike, exemplifying the heights that can be reached when dedication to academics and athletics go hand in hand.
