After a few years on the varsity wrestling team, Nolan Jones has proven that he is as good as any. Jones had a very successful season last year, winning almost all of his matches, and he came into this year’s season cutting to be in the 145lb weight class, which would require a shedding of around five pounds. However, compared to previous years, this was not too much of a challenge.

Jones’ hard work in the offseason was first shown in the Westminster tournament at the beginning of the season; he won his first round easily and his next two by a pin. After a good match with a wrestler from St. Charles West, Jones ended his night by winning the tournament.

The Eric Lewis Invitational was another win for Nolan Jones, as he destroyed his first two opponents by pinning them in the second and first period. His hardest match came in the semifinal round, where he won with a takedown in the third period. Jones proceeded to cruise through the rest of the tournament, winning the 145lb weight class.

For the wrestling team’s senior night, both Jones and Nate Bowman were able to come out on top, as Nolan pinned both of his opponents in the third period.

This year, the wrestling team traveled to Mexico, MO to compete in the District tournament. Every weight class had a sixteen man bracket, and the top four finishers qualified for state. The stands in the gym were packed with fans watching the wrestlers compete.

Jones started the tournament as the three-seed. He breezed through his first two matches and only needed one more win to qualify for state. Although he came up short against a tough opponent 2-1, he was given one more chance to wrestle for State.

Jones was matched up against his first opponent for this final match. After going back and forth with points for a while, Jones scored a reversal with thirty seconds left to go up 6-5 and won in the end 8-5, securing a spot in the State tournament.

Nolan Jones competed for the state championship during the weekend of February 17th-19th. Jones came one spot away from placing, but wrestled very well. After a devastating shoulder injury last year, he has come back stronger than ever by finishing the regular season with a winning record and finishing his last season very well.