SHELBY, Ohio — After authoring one of the greatest high school careers in state history, Alexis Jones is ready for the next chapter.
The Shelby senior signed a national letter of intent Monday to continue her golf career at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
“I liked the coach a lot and I liked the girls a lot. They are Division I and they’re far enough away and close enough (to home),” Jones said after finishing runner-up at last month’s state tournament. “I want to go into the bio-medical field and they have a great program program. Three of the girls are already in the medical school.”
Jones’ runner-up finish at Ohio State’s Gray Course capped one of the best four-year runs in state history. She was finished 14th at state as a freshman before taking runner-up honors as a sophomore. As a junior, she won a state title.
“It’s good to say runner-up, medalist, runner-up,” Jones said. “That’s awesome.”
What’s more, Shelby qualified as a team for the first time ever and finished third.
“I’m mostly proud of my team. They did phenomenal,” Jones said. “For their first year down here to finish third is great.”
Oakland competes in the Horizon League. The Golden Grizzlies won their first ever Horizon League championship last April and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Coach Alyssa Gaudio was selected the Horizon League Coach of the Year.
Jones chose Oakland over Ohio University, Kent State and Youngstown State.
“Oakland’s facility just blew me out of the water. It’s amazing,” Jones said. “It has two 18-hole golf courses.”
Oakland is getting a steal, Shelby coach Brad Ruminski said.
“She’s got a fantastic game,” Ruminski said. “She loves the game and works hard at it. Talent-wise, she’s got it.”
