With heart and hustle, Jaynes finishes 13th in 5K to complete all-American career

By Rodrigo Burgos-Avila | Editor in chief

For most runners, the final race is a finish line.

For Avery Jaynes, it felt more like a turning point.

The Augusta University senior ended his collegiate career with a gritty 13th-place finish in the 5,000 meters at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships on May 24, crossing the line at the Thunderbowl Stadium in 15:00.52. Long before he ever saw the track in Pueblo, Colo., Jaynes had left his presence, not as a record-breaker but as a quiet force who helped redefine the culture of AU distance running.

“This trip meant a lot to me,” Jaynes said. “Coming out here, my goal was to prove that I could compete at the highest level, and I believe I was able to do that.”

The senior from Brooklet (Ga.) had already done plenty. Just two days earlier, Jaynes became the first Jaguar in school history to stand on the podium at the outdoor NCAA meet, placing fifth in the 10,000 meters. That race, a 29:55 effort, earned him all-American honors and capped off a season that saw him dismantle school and Peach Belt Conference records. He did it on big stages like the Raleigh Relays and the Bryan Clay Invitational, not just breaking records but breaking through.

But stats were never the full story.

“Everything I’ve accomplished at AU means so much to me,” Jaynes said. “It’s been a blessing to represent this university and this team.”

The real victories were shared in practices, road trips and locker room laughs, the kind of things that don’t show up on results sheets.

“The past four years have been unforgettable, and AU will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said. “More than anything, it’s the friendships I’ve made and the memories I’ve shared with my teammates that I’ll cherish the most.”

Jaynes leaves as a two-time Augusta University male athlete of the year, a two-time Peach Belt Conference runner of the year in cross country, and a multiple-time all-conference and all-region honoree. Yet he still hints that the story might not be over.

“While I don’t want to reveal too much just yet… let’s just say, I might not be done with AU athletics quite yet,”

Whether that means coaching, mentoring, or something entirely unexpected, one thing is clear: Jaynes gave Augusta University more than fast times, he gave it a legacy.

And if his final 5K was any sign, he’s still got more to give.

Contact Rodrigo Burgos-Avila at rburgosavila@augusta.edu.

Note: In photo at the top of the page, Avery Jaynes is second from the right. (photo by Sam Viebrock/special to the Bell Ringer)