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Published on: 6/19/2007
Last Visited: 6/19/2007
Among those who took notice early was Sam Seemes, a longtime LSU assistant coach who served as interim head coach in 1987.
"Esther was probably one of the first - and I'm hesitant to say the first - big-time national female recruits LSU signed out of high school," Seemes recalled.
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Seemes said Jones helped turn a solid team into a perennial national power with her work in a wide range of events from the 100 and 200 meters to the 400- and 800-meter relays.
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It was easy, Seemes said, to see how special Jones was as a person and athlete because she showed it so early and so often.
"She did everything you hope the student-athletes you bring to your institution will do," said Seemes, who is now the CEO of the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
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Seemes recalled how Jones made sure that nothing would change that, especially in 1989 when Dawn Sowell transferred to LSU and went on to set collegiate records in sweeping the sprint titles at the NCAA meet.
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"Esther was a sophomore when probably the best female sprinter in the world at that time transferred to LSU," Seemes said.