Jones wrestles in state tournament

Fallbrook High School junior Brett Jones earned a berth in the state wresting tournament February 29 and March 1 in Bakersfield.

Jones lost both his matches in the double-elimination tournament on points, 6-5 and 4-3.

“It wasn’t like they dominated him,” said Fallbrook wrestling coach Roye Oliver. “He was in there.”

Jones earned first-team all-league honors after winning the 112-pound weight class in the Avocado League meet.

“He really dominated the league and showed that he was definitely one of the contenders in the San Diego area,” Oliver said. “He lived up to his potential.”

Jones then finished second in the CIF Division I tournament February 19 at Otay Ranch High School, earning him a trip to the all-division Masters tournament.

Jones finished fourth in the Masters tournament February 22-23 at Mission Hills High School to qualify for the state tournament.

“He’s really come around,” Oliver said of Jones.

Six members of Fallbrook High School’s wrestling team qualified for the Masters tournament.

While Jones was the only Warrior to qualify for the state tournament, two other Fallbrook wrestlers were one win away from a berth in the state competition.

During the double-elimination Masters tournament, Jones lost by decision to a Poway opponent while being pinned by a Brawley grappler.

“They were so dominating down here,” Oliver said of the Masters tournament.

In the state tournament Jones lost 5-4 to Junior Davilla of San Benito, who had placed second in the Central Coast Section, and 4-3 to Dylan Barrales of Temecula Valley, who was third in the Southern Section.

Oliver felt that Jones was caught off guard in his first state tournament.

“He’ll be past that next year,” Oliver said. “We’ve just got to work a little harder down here and get ready for next year.”