BENZONIA - On Tuesday night, prior to the boys basketball game against Buckley, the Huskies honored former cross country star and current Wake Forest runner Hunter Jones by retiring his jersey.
Hunter Jones set numerous records for the Huskies in both track and cross country, including the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter races. He was an MHSAA state champion in every year at Benzie.
Hunter Jones was named the Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year in 2023, Adidas Indoor National Champion in the 5000 meter race in 2020, Nike Cross Country All-American in 2023, Nike Indoor National Champion in the 3200 meter race in 2023, and the Detroit Athletic Club Male Athlete of the Year in 2023, along with many other accomplishments.
Jones told us he was honored to receive such special recognition from the school.
“I’m thankful for the community around me, that they are able to do this for me, it just means a lot,” said Jones. “I’ve never heard of any cross country runner have their jersey put up. So I feel very blessed, and it’s just it’s crazy to think that part of my life is over now, but it’s also really exciting that they’re able to do all that for me.”
Just a few months ago at the NCAA Cross Country National Championships in Virginia, Jones was the fourth highest placing true freshman.