Columbus, Miss. — University of Southern Mississippi at Windham freshman Ariella Jones was named the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Field Events Player of the Week for March 23-29, 2026. Jones competed at the Mississippi State University Bulldog Alumni Relays last Thursday through Saturday, according to the conference.
Hailing from Winona, Mississippi, and a graduate of Winona High School, Jones placed eighth in the women’s long jump among 34 competitors. Six of the seven athletes ahead of her represented NCAA Division I schools. Her best jump of 5.66 meters (18 feet, 7 inches) came on her second attempt.
The mark broke her own school record at MUW and ranked as the second-best long jump effort in SLIAC women’s track and field history. It was the top SLIAC long jump of the season and also ranked first in the NCAA Division III South Region. Nationally, it was the seventh-best effort among NCAA Division III women in 2026, according to the conference.
Jones, who stands 5 feet 2 inches tall, continues to impress in her freshman season with her outstanding performances in the long jump.
