NEW ORLEANS, La. – All-Region honors for the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season were announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following the conclusion of the regular season, with Mississippi University for Women's Erin Jones – from Columbus High School - among those recognized. Jones, a junior, was honored in the triple jump for the South Region.
 
Jones' mark that earned her the USCAA accolades came at Southeastern Louisiana University. Jones had an Owls' school-record leap of 11.11 meters to win the event.
 
"It's a great honor to have Erin listed amongst some of the top athletes in the nation," MUW Head Coach Dedrick Burnett said. "She had a pretty shaky start to her year, but we were able to get her back on track. Her determination to get better at an event that I just introduce her to a year ago says a lot. When she first started off doing this event she only jumped 30 feet, but she improved every meet after that. This season she was able to reach the mark of 36-5.5 feet, which is a true testament that hard work pays off."
 
Jones also helped The W women's team to a third-place finish at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Invitational meet. At the USCAA event, Jones took top honors in the women's high jump, clearing 1.47 meters. Jones also added points to the Owls' coffers with a fourth in the triple jump (9.99m), fifth in the long jump (4.64m), and sixth in the 400.
 
Top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned USTFCCCA All-Region honors, in addition to each of the members of a top-3 ranked relay team. Only USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.
 
Jones is the third MUW track and field athlete recognized by the USCAA in the program's young history. She joins teammates Loren Winters (2022 indoor 60m) and Kaitlyn McRee (2022 outdoor Heptathlon).