By Bryce McKinnis
The accolades continue to rack up for Bixby High School senior wrestler Isaiah Jones: two All-American nods, a No. 19 national ranking in 120 pounds, a state runner-up finish in 6A and a commitment to Division I University of Arkansas–Little Rock.
“Leaving a legacy at Bixby is really important to me,” Jones said. “In our wrestling room, we have the names of state and national placers on the wall and flags from the colleges our alumni have gone on to compete for. Our motto is ‘Bixby Built,’ and to us, that’s more than just putting in hard work, it’s about family, tradition, and building something bigger than yourself.”
Growing up, Jones was like most Spartans. He played football and baseball and wrestled. His uncle, Chris, coached the youth wrestling program and introduced him to the sport. By his sophomore year, he recognized that, though he was a talented football and baseball player, he was a special wrestler.
“Competing at the national level is an amazing experience. You’re not just going against the best in Oklahoma — you’re testing yourself against the top talent from across the country,” Jones said. “It pushes all of us to raise the bar and bring that intensity back to the room every single day.”
This season, Jones’ primary goal is to stand atop the podium at the 6A state tournament. He finished second in 120 pounds last year.
“Oklahoma 6A is one of the toughest divisions in the country, and my weight class has always been stacked. I’ve learned to stay hungry,” Jones said. “This year, I really dialed in my nutrition and made it a priority to take care of my body the right way. When I was younger, that part of the sport didn’t click for me. Now, it’s something I take seriously. As far as training, I put in a lot of hours, but it never feels like a job, I love what I do. My mindset is to give everything to God, the wins, the losses, all of it, and trust the process. I stay committed and let Him handle the rest.”
After it’s all said and done, Jones hopes to remain involved in coaching, whether through coaching, mentoring or volunteering.
“The sport has given me so much, and I want to give back,” Jones said. “I also see myself starting a family and building a life that reflects the values wrestling has taught me, discipline, perseverance, and leadership. But right now, I’m focused on finishing strong and making the most of my senior year.”
