Athlete of the Week: Klein Collins High School's Andrew Jones described as 'best ever' in hurdles

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- To watch Klein Collins senior Andrew Jones glide over the hurdles is to witness pure poetry in motion.

"I don't even think about the pattern anymore," Jones said. "Like you got to shuffle, you're moving, it's like a sixth sense."

Despite the challenge, he turns the hurdles into an effortless dance.

When asked to explain the complexity of the event, Jones said: "There's just so much that goes in, this interview would be like 20 minutes long."

He stands as the greatest high school hurdler the nation has ever seen. Just two weeks ago in Tomball, he blazed through the 300m hurdles in 34.72 seconds, setting a new wind-legal national record. Earlier in April at the Texas Relays, he shattered the all-time 110m hurdles mark with a 13.15.

"I train at least 2 hours a day, ... 4 hours if I'm in the weight room," Jones said. "I have no free time outside of track, so it's a really big commitment."

Training is a commitment, but he finds the fun in running hurdles.

"110m [race] practice is like a game," Jones said. "I just love doing hurdles. If I were a sprinter, it might be different, but since I love hurdles, it has a fun aspect to it."

This weekend, he's running in the regional meet in Waco, where he is expected to qualify for the state track meet in Austin on May 16. He is the defending state champion in both the 110m and 300m hurdle races.

"I'm super proud," he said. "It's been my dream since my freshman year to be number one in the country, number one in the state. Now it's actually happening here, kind of like show me that all the work I put in was worth it."

Next year, he will take his talents and ambitions to Texas A&M, ready to chase new goals both in the classroom and on the track.