College Bound Athlete: Jackson Stone

Jackson Stone (seated center) will run cross country and track at the University of New England. Stone is surrounded by his cross country and track & field teammates at GHS.

The Stone family is full of athletes. 
           
Jackson Stone, a 2022 graduate at Glastonbury High School, is the latest family member to commit to athletics at the next level.
           
“I am excited to announce my commitment to running cross country, outdoor track, and study nursing at the University of New England.” Stone posted on Instagram on April 9. 
           
He’ll join his older brother Thomas Stone, who runs at Eastern Connecticut State University, and older sister, Christina Stone, who plays soccer at the University of Hartford.  
           
His fraternal twin brother, Cody Stone, also ran beside him that past four years at the high school and his younger brother Brady Stone is entering his senior year at GHS, starring on the lacrosse fields.      
           
It was Thomas who influenced Jackson to start running in middle school, but it wasn’t until the summer before his freshman year that he hit his stride. 
           
Jackson became hooked after attending North Kingdome Running Camp (NKRC) in Lyndon, Vermont. 
           
“I went there and fell in love with the sport,” he recalled. “I hadn’t really met anyone from the team, but once I got there I met a lot of girls and guys from the teams and we had such a good experience. It got me excited to do cross country in the fall.”
           
He would attend the camp throughout high school, training and being a counselor for the younger runners. 
           
In his four years at GHS, he became a consistent runner on the cross country trails and a versatile member of the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, running a variety of distances and competing on several relay teams.
           
This spring, he broke the 5-minute mark in the 1600 meters, running a personal best 4:57.82 to take first place at the Randy Smith Journal Inquirer Greater Manchester Invitational on May 21.
           
“I’ll miss the people the most,” Jackson said of departing Glastonbury. “I’ve made some really good friendships and met people I will remember my whole life. All the girls and guys are amazing people.”
           
Jackson will next join a Nor’easters program in Biddeford, Maine that competes in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
           
He said he was looking for a place that fit all the criteria with an emphasis on his major. 
           
“I was also looking at schools where I could study nursing. I went to tour it with my dad and it was a gorgeous campus,” recalled Jackson who added he looks forward to running 8ks instead of 5k in college. “I’m excited for a new setting. It’s a whole new environment and I want to try something new.”
           
Jackson said he wants to go into the medical field because of his desire to “help people” and UNE gave him the opportunity to continue both of his passions. 
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