Five Minutes with Larry Jones
4/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Outdoor Track
April 17, 2009
Larry Jones is one of four men's track and field athletes from the Ruston area. In this week's installment of "Five Minutes with a Student-Athlete," we interviewed Jones and learned how he prepares for his events, his admiration for Herschel Walker and his greatest achievements.
LATechSports: Where are you from?
Jones: Ruston, La.
LATechSports: Do you have a nickname?
Jones: I actually do not have a nickname.
LATechSports: What are you majoring in?
Jones: Sociology
LATechSports: What do you enjoy the most about Tech?
Jones: I enjoy the extra time I have to train and my sociology classes.
LATechSports: What are your plans after college?
Jones: I hope to continue training and competing at an even higher level. One day, I would like to be a track and field coach.
LATechSports: What is your greatest achievement?
Jones: I would have to say either being named Mr. Field in the state of Louisiana in 2006 or the time I broke the Tech record in the javelin last year.
LATechSports: Who inspires you?
Jones: My mom because she is a single parent who did a great job raising three kids. She has also returned to college and earned her bachelor's degree. Right now, she is working on her master's. My fiancé has been a big influence on me as well. She never lets me settle and always pushes me to do better.
LATechSports: What was your first job?
Jones: Working in the concession stands here at Tech.
LATechSports: What are your hobbies?
Jones: Weightlifting, going to church, relaxing with my fiancé and enjoying my family.
LATechSports: If you could spend a day with one person, who would it be?
Jones: Herschel Walker because he was such a great athlete. He had everything, size, strength, speed and so much more. If I had the opportunity to meet him, I would ask him for tips on how he became such a good all-around athlete.
LATechSports: What is your favorite part of a road trip?
Jones: After I perform well, I enjoy the trip back home because I know I succeeded and did my best.
LATechSports: When did you start competing in track and field and why?
Jones: I started competing in throwing events in seventh grade. I have always loved throwing things. When I was little I would throw the football to myself in the backyard for hours. I also like participating in throwing events because my results are based on how I trained and performed.
LATechSports: What is your all-time favorite sports moment?
Jones: Winning the discus event at the National Junior Olympics in 2005.
LATechSports: What song or artist do you listen to before a game?
Jones: Instead of listening to music, I pray before our meets.
LATechSports: Who do you contribute your success to in track and field?
Jones: I contribute my success to God and my mom. My mom has always supported me. She taught me to never give up even when people told me I would not make it.
LATechSports: Are you superstitious?
Jones: I am not too superstitious, but I do pray in the ring before I make my first throw. I also make sure I have at least one good day of training before our meets.
LATechSports: Would you ever do something extreme or adventurous?
Jones: I would love to bungee jump. If I had the chance, I would want the rope to be extra long so it is even scarier.
LATechSports: Can you impersonate someone?
Jones: My fiancé says I do a pretty good impression of comedian Katt Williams.
LATechSports: Have you ever met a celebrity?
Jones: I have met the actor who played Deebo, Tommy Lister, in the movie "Friday."
LATechSports: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Jones: I would love to live near the ocean.
LATechSports: What is your favorite movie?
Jones: 300
LATechSports: What is your favorite food?
Jones: Chicken wings, ice cream and soul food
LATechSports: If you could ask the president one question, what would you ask?
Jones: I would ask President Obama what gave him the drive to break a barrier that seemed impossible.
LATechSports: What was the strangest costume you wore for Halloween?
Jones: Once I dressed up as Alf.
LATechSports: If you had the opportunity to live your life to the fullest for only one day, what would you do?
Jones: I would be a NASCAR driver.
LATechSports: If you were stranded on a beach, what five things would you need to survive?
Jones: Clean water, a boat, food, a hunting knife and shelter.
