Jan. 31, 2008: The Salt Lake Tribune

Prep Wrestling: Heartbreak Kid
by Chhun Sun

Jaes Jones was 11 years old, and the Jordan High gym was packed with screaming fans. And he got inspired.

But this wasn't basketball. It was the first All-Star Wrestling Classic. Jones' brother, Cameron, was grappling in what is now considered one of the most prestigious tournaments of the season.

Jaes wanted to do the same. Jaes got to live the moment Tuesday of last week, in a Brighton singlet as he wrestled North Sanpete's Keaton Cheney in the 135-pound bout in the annual All-Star Classic at the McKay Events Center in Orem. Jaes easily won with a pin, and it was Jaes' second win against Cheney this season.

But Jaes wants more.

"I got plans," Jaes said.

When you're Jaes, you have to be determined. The past two seasons are reminders that he came so close but never got the one thing that only one wrestler in his weight class achieve every season since the sport was recognized in 1938.

The state title.

Jaes lost in the semifinals in 2006 and 2007.

"I'm very determined this year," he said. "I had it my whole life to reach that goal. I think I can get it done this year. I'm getting over [my past]. I'm trying to get it done."

The senior has already accomplished enough in his high school career to have the casual observer utter the word "impressive." As a freshman, he won 22 matches and placed fifth at the region tournament. As a sophomore, he complied a 37-5 record and finished fourth at the state championships.

As a junior, he fell a spot below from the season before in the state tournament.

Now, as a senior, he wants that state title before he either attends M.I.T. or Stanford. However, he wants to serve an LDS mission before he studies to become a neurologist.

"He has a realistic chance," Brighton coach Wade Brown said about Jaes' state title aspirations.

Last weekend at the Rocky Mountain Rumble, Jaes made a solid run toward the tournament title. He had two pins in his five matches, to eventually lose in a 5-2 decision against Mountain Crest's Jake Morrill in the 130-pound final.

But that loss probably won't deter his plans too much.

Semis Tough

• Brighton's Jaes Jones has been disappointed twice the last two seasons, as he's fallen short of a state title in each try. Both times he lost in the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament in his weight class.

• This season, Jones is determined to erase his past and win a state title before his high school career ends. He's coming off a win at the All-Star Classic and a runner-up finish at the Rocky Mountain Rumble.