Former Savannah State track and field standout Amara Jones has qualified as an alternate for the 2012 Bahamian National Olympic Team in the 4x100 meter relay event.  She will travel with the team to London, England for the 2012 Olympics.

During the training camp phase, commencing next week, Jones will join the team in training as coaches Diane Woodside, David Charlton, Henry Rolle, and Ronald Cartwright finalize the six women that will represent the Bahamas. During the qualification period, Jones' 4x100m team had the fastest time for the Bahamas in the qualification period.

"I'm just happy I have the opportunity," Jones said. "This is a dream come true and I think one of the biggest things for me is being able to learn from our veterans. I have been so blessed this year and the experience alone is an achievement for me. I just have to keep working hard."

During Jones' tenure at Savannah State, she set school records in the women's 200m, and 400m dashes, and was on the team that set a new school record in the 4x100m relay. She was the first Savannah State female athlete to garner an individual Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference award. Jones was named MEAC Athlete of the Week three times in the 2011-12 season.

Jones represented Savannah State in two Division I NCAA Track and Field National Championships as a senior and a sophomore. She led the Savannah State women's outdoor track and field team in the 2012 MEAC Championship with first place honors in the 200m and 400m dashes.   She also took top honors in the 400m dash in the 2011-12 MEAC Indoor Track and Field Championship.

Jones graduated from Savannah State University Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science last May and was a top academic performer with numerous awards, including the President's List in 2012. She is also a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma honor society.