It was a straightforward goal that required a single-minded focus.

And an athlete like Panther Valley’s Brad Jones to make it a reality.

Dedicated to his craft and committed to his calling, Jones recently announced he will continue his academic and athletic careers at Division 1 Mount St. Mary’s University.

“It’s been a lifelong dream,” Jones said of the opportunity. “Just watching college athletes growing up. So to be able to look at myself to be able to achieve that dream, it means everything to me.”

Jones has put together a stellar career with the Panthers, one that included a trip to states his junior year.

“In 2021, Brad was the only freshman to qualify for districts in the javelin,” said Panther Valley track and field head coach Paul McArdle. “Then in his sophomore year, he entered the conversation as one of the better throwers in the league and district. His junior and senior years, he took it to the next level by winning a league championship, multiple district medals, and also an 11th place at the state meet.

“Hopefully our underclassmen witnessed that progression and know what it takes to get to that upper level.”

Jones has been a fixture on the podium in the postseason over the last two years. He was third at leagues in the javelin this season, and placed fourth at districts in Class 2A.

As a junior, Jones won the Schuylkill League title in the javelin before placing third at districts and finishing his season with a throw of 161-1 to place 11th at states.

Those successes inspired confidence in Jones to pursue his passion.

“I feel like javelin really became my sport then,” he said. “I just started to focus on that, and began to think it was my calling.”

As a sophomore, Jones placed sixth at districts with a throw of 140-6. This past season he recorded a personal best with a throw of 171-8.

McArdle has seen the type of gifted thrower and talented athlete Jones is up close, and not just during the spring.

“Yes, I definitely saw that firsthand, not just because I am on the football coaching staff, but I was also his position coach on the offensive line,” McArdle said of the football season.

“Even though he was undersized as a lineman, he was our best blocker and technician up front the last two years. He could have certainly played at the next level if he wasn’t pursuing track and field.”

But Jones pursued his passion, and followed in the footsteps of his father, Brad Sr., who set the school record in the javelin in 1992 and was a two-time state qualifier.

“I really got into javelin from my dad,” said the younger Jones. “I wanted to try to break that record. Obviously, I didn’t get it. But it brought me to where I am today, which is having the opportunity to be a Division 1 athlete at Mount St. Mary’s.”

It didn’t take long for Jones to find that the Maryland school was the perfect fit for him.

“I was really stuck between two schools, with Mount St. Mary’s and Saint Francis University,” said Jones, who will study accounting. “I took official visits with both of them, but as soon as I got to Mount St. Mary’s, I got that feeling that people say you get when you go to a college and it feels like home. I really felt like Mount St. Mary’s gave me that.”

Jones has been one of the leaders of a throwing group that has been extremely successful, and included state qualifier Mikayla Yuricheck in the javelin this past season.

“Our throwers have managed to pull the Panther fan base away from the track finish line, and they could normally be found cheering in the throwing area at the big meets,” said McArdle.

“Brad, as well as Mikayla Yuricheck, Brenda Banks, and recent graduates Austin Hadley, Bella Bochicchio, and Michael Pascoe have combined to break school records and win multiple league and district medals and championships the last few years.”

And Jones is determined to continue that trend and carry that forward at the next level.

“I want to start off strong, I want to compete in a conference championship and maybe even medal,” said Jones. “I’ve looked at some numbers of the winners and medalists in the javelin at the MAAC (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) and I feel like I can medal my freshman year, which would be awesome. That’s a huge goal for me.”

Like he did so often during his career at Panther Valley, Jones is ready to make that dream a reality.

“Waste no time. The moment’s here.”