Randy Jones (bobsledder)

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Randy Jones (born June 24, 1969 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina) is an American bobsledder. Jones is four-time U.S. Olympian, who has competed in both the 2-man and 4-man bobsledding events in his career.

1 High School
2 College Career
3 Bobsledding Career
4 Personal Life
5 Sources

[edit] High School

Jones attended Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina and was a standout track and football star. Jones was a big part in leading the school to a state championship in track in 1986. Jones graduated from Glenn High School in 1987.

[edit] College Career

Jones attended Duke University where he played football and ran track while earning a computer engineering degree. Jones still holds five team football records for Duke in kick returns and was also a record-setting track athlete. Jones graduated from Duke in 1991.

[edit] Bobsledding Career

Jones' track coach at Duke convinced him after graduating to tryout for the U.S. Bobsled team. Combined with a desire to see the world, Jones accepted the invitation to join the team. Jones won the National Brakeman and Side Push Championship twice in both 1992 and 1995. Jones also won the World Cup and Overall Championship for 1992-93 season.

Jones made his Olympic debut in 1994 in Lillehammer, Norway. Jones finished 13th in the 2-man event. Jones would come up short in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan as the 4-man team with driver Brian Shimer and pushers Chip Minton and Garrett Hines missed by .02 seconds of winning a bronze medal. They finished in 5th place overall. Jones also finished 10th in the 2-man event with Hines as his teammate.

After winning four World Cup medals, 2002 saw Jones have the best year of his career in bobsledding. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jones along with driver Todd Hays, won a silver medal in the 4-man event. This marked the first time since 1956 that the United States won a medal in men's bobsledding.

In 2005-06, Jones' best finish in the World Cup was 2nd at the 4-man event held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Jones was at the 2006 Winter Olympics, but did not run in either competition. Jones is now part of the United States Olympic Committee and is widely considered as the most decorated bobsledder in U.S. history.