Over and Out | Sargent-Jones Calls Time

“You can’t fake it in track and field.”

That’s the bottom line for Caitlin Sargent-Jones on her retirement after a decade-long career in the green and gold – during which she did everything but “fake it”.

The stint featured two top-five finishes at Commonwealth Games in the 4x400m relay, along with two national 400m titles and one Olympic finals berth.

What she describes as an “all-consuming endeavour” has formed the basis of her everyday life since 2010, when she made her Australian debut at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Canada alongside future Olympic teammate Anneliese Rubie-Renshaw.

One year later she would make her senior debut at the IAAF World Championships in Daegu, beginning a long run of success as Sargent-Jones made herself a regular on Australian teams.

The accomplished sprinter considered the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics a blessing in disguise as she nursed a torn hamstring at the 2019 IAAF World Championships in Doha, before problems with her Achilles’ further plague her preparations.

In her corner were always her unwavering support crew, headlined by coach Eric Brown. The revered coach began working with Sargent-Jones as a junior, with her retirement drawing their 17-year partnership to a close.

“Eric has been coaching me for so long, he has had to learn, adapt and change the way he has coached as I have matured as an athlete, coming along on that journey with me to continually evolve,” she said.

Sargent-Jones credits Brown for her upward trajectory throughout her career, saying his ability to nurture her as a junior avoided her from “burning out” at a young age.

Alongside Brown, the 29-year-old says her parents have gone above and beyond both financially and emotionally to allow her to fulfill a childhood dream. That support has been enhanced by her husband and former USA steeplechaser Jared Jones, with the pair meeting at the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2010.

“I think having a fellow athlete by my side has been really helpful,” she said.

Sargent-Jones says the couple have sacrificed significant opportunities and experiences to pave the way for her athletics career – something that she is eternally grateful for.

Regularly competing in the 4x400m on national teams was a highlight of Sargent-Jones’, noting that the ability to bring a team element to what is largely an individual sport was only ever a positive.

Whilst Sargent-Jones will shift her working schedule as a physiotherapist to full-time in the wake of her career, she says that through her role on the executive committee for the University of Queensland Athletics Club – she will be hard to keep away from the tartan.

“I’m certainly keen to be involved in the sport. I love track and field and I don’t think you would be able to keep me away,” she said.

“The sport has given me so much and I just want to be able to give back in any way possible.”

Whatever is next for the Australian sprinter, she says that her athletics career leaves her poised to face life’s challenges head on through the transferable skills of discipline, commitment and seeing something through to the end.

“Having the courage and vulnerability to step out on the start line knowing that you have put all the work in yet can’t guarantee the outcome, it’s just about giving your best effort,” she said.

Forever thankful to officials and her competitors, Caitlin Sargent-Jones bows out of the sport as a class act that junior athletes can aspire to emulate.

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted:  20/8/2021