AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta University senior Avery Jaynes has officially qualified for the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, set to take place May 22–24 in Pueblo, Colorado. Jaynes will represent the Jaguars in both the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter events.
A communications major from Brooklet, Georgia, Jaynes has had a record-breaking senior season, earning national qualifying marks in both distance events and setting Peach Belt Conference all-time records in each. Now, his attention turns to the NCAA Championships. While he doesn't normally have a lot of goals pre-race, he does have one in mind for this event.
"I would love to get a top eight finish. That's considered All-American, so that's kind of in the back of my mind right now. Hopefully in at least one of the events," said Jaynes
He enters the national championship meet with a 10,000-meter qualifying time of 28:59.21, which broke the previous PBC record and currently ranks among the top times in Division II. In the 5,000 meters, Jaynes posted a time of 13:51.61 at the Bryan Clay Invitational, also a school and conference record.
Becoming an elite runner takes serious dedication. Not just in the workouts, but making sure the diet is where it needs to be to keep his body in tip-top shape. He watches what he eats to make sure his performance level is at it's highest.
"I usually try to watch what I eat. Usually whole good foods, like proteins and veggies and a starch is my go to dinner," Jaynes said.
It also changes when he gets closer to meets where he'll start to do more pasta for carbohydrates.
This marks Jaynes' first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and adds to an impressive career that includes multiple conference championships, NCAA Cross Country Nationals appearances, and two Fred Barnabei Male Athlete of the Year honors.
While you might not think there's a lot of strategy involved in running distance events, there is. Jaynes said he doesn't usually pay that much attention to the lap counter or times until it gets closer to the end. He said he'll try to stay in the pack and then turn it on with his kick towards the closing laps.
The NCAA Championships will be hosted by Colorado State University Pueblo at the ThunderBowl Stadium. The 10,000-meter final is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, with the 5,000-meter final taking place on Saturday, May 24.
Running at elevation can be a challenge, but Jaynes indicated running in the south on a day-to-day bases can simulate running at altitude.
"We're getting out there early enough that I think my body will be able to adjust before race time," said Jaynes. "Down here, with the humidity, we call that our poor man's altitude so that does help."
For more information and live coverage of the event, visit augustajags.com.
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