Eight years ago, Richard Jones was tearing up the dirt track at Benicia High’s Drolette Stadium for the Panthers’ track and field team. Last Saturday in Boston, the 2006 Benicia High graduate helped set an indoor track and field world record.

BENICIA’S TYJON CASEY (10) goes inside thanks to a screen from Eric Voss (22).

Jones, who holds Benicia High records in the 800 meters, half mile and mile, joined US All-Stars teammates Duane Solomon, David Torrence and Erik Sowinski in breaking a 14-year-old world indoor record in the men’s 4×800-meter relay by running 7:13.11 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix at the Reggie Lewis Center.

Jones led off the race and ran a time of 1:50 before giving way to Torrence (1:47.46), Solomon (1:47.98) and Erik Sowinski (1:46.66) for the world record-breaking time.

“My jaw dropped,” Jones said when he realized he and his teammates had set a new world record. “I couldn’t believe it. When Erik crossed the line and the announcer screamed out a world record, we just ran onto the track and hugged each other. It was amazing.”

The world record seemed improbable going into the race. The foursome of Jones, Torrence, Solomon and Sowinski had never raced together before and were thrown together to fill out a field that included other relay teams with higher expectations. Needing a name, the event labeled the foursome the “US All-Stars.”

“On paper, with each of our talents, we knew it was possible,” Jones said of setting a recird. “But going into it, we didn’t have any expectations. We just wanted to show that we could be competitive and maybe even win the race.”

Jones, who was a standout runner for Louisiana State University after reaching the CIF State Meet with Benicia High, had been training with Solomon but hadn’t competed professionally since last summer. Now here he was in Boston, leading off a prestigious relay in front of a big crowd.

“I was nervous when the gun went off and it had been a long time since I’d run in front of more than 5,000 people,” Jones said. “The first 400 meters, I looked at the clock and knew I was off the pace. So I kicked it into another gear, went to the front and took control of the pace. To come out here and set a world record with these guys in front of a big crowd was amazing.”

Jones, now 25, has been busy since graduating from Benicia High. The premier middle distance runner in the Southeastern Conference and one of the elite middle distance runners in the country during the 2010 season, Jones swept the SEC Indoor and SEC Outdoor titles in the 800-meter run. He set the LSU indoor school record in the 800 meters by winning the indoor conference crown with a time of 1:47.78.

Jones left LSU after his junior season and went professional, joining the Santa Monica Track Club to train under legendary coach Joe Douglas. Jones is currently training in Orlando, Fla., with Johnny Gray, a four-time Olympian considered to be one of the finest 800-meter runners in U.S. history.

“It’s been a long journey, but things are starting to turn in my professional career for sure,” said Jones, who plans to compete in the World Championships and hopes to make the USA 2016 Summer Olympic Team. “This is a job and it’s definitely my dream job. I’ll follow it anywhere. I really like Orlando and the weather is great to train in. I have great friends around me and it feels like home.

“I’m laying down the path for myself and building my resume so that I’m prepared and experienced. The most important thing you can do before the Olympics is gain experience.”

Jones still keeps in touch with Benicia High track coach Julie Moore.

“She’s the one who really got me focused on track and field and she still keeps me motivated,” Jones said.

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