DADE CITY – Bona Jones doesn't have a me-first attitude, but after dominating Southwest Florida cross country since starting at Estero High School, but she figured it was time to measure herself against the best for a change.
Jones is rarely challenged during her high school meets, but when the opportunity came on Saturday at the flrunners.com Invitational, Jones decided to participate in the Race of Champions rather than run with the rest of her team during one of the other races.
Jones didn't go in expecting to win. She knew that Vanguard's Kelly Parrish would be tough, and Jones described Parrish at the beginning of the year as nearly unbeatable. Neither Parrish nor Jones expected freshman Ashley Brasovan of Wellington to emerge, and Brasovan won the event, edging Parrish at the end.
Still, Jones wasn't upset. She wanted to face the best and got her wish.
"I came in knowing it would be tough, a lot more tough than when I race in Fort Myers," Jones said. "I'm ha...
