A little more than a year ago, Nick Jones was watching the track season from the sidelines and mourning the passing of his father, Hardy.
On Tuesday, as he sat in the bleachers of McClure Field on the campus of the Missouri School for the Deaf, junior Nick Jones was a two-time state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, and a four-time medalist overall after last weekend's Class 1 state track and field championships in Jefferson City.
Both setbacks - his father's death and not being able to run last season - undoubtedly fueled Jones.
To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.