Columbia Woman Wins Gold At Special Olympics

COLUMBIA, MD — A Columbia woman won a gold medal at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. She brought home the gold in swimming and said she was inspired by another great Maryland athlete.

Jena Jones was one of nine Howard County Special Olympians who traveled to the national games this month in Seattle, Washington.

The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games ran from July 1 to 6. It brought together 3,000 athletes to compete in 14 sports, according to organizers.

Jones won the gold medal for the 100-meter backstroke event at the 2018 games, according to Fox 45, which reported she also swam her way to three silver medals.

She was inspired by fellow swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, the news station reported.

Jones went to Wilde Lake High School and lives in Columbia. She was the 2006 Howard County Special Olympics female athlete of the year, according to her donation page for the trip to the national games.

Still picture of Jena Jones from YouTube/Special Olympics Maryland.