Short time! Plenty of time for Mountain View junior Drew Jones to reverse fortunes, win wrestling title

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom

Mountain View junior Drew Jones was 11 seconds from experiencing a second consecutive heartbreaking loss in a state final.

He trailed West Linn’s Charles Spinning 3-2 in Sunday's 138-pound 6A championship match at Sandy High School, unable to escape Spinning’s grasp after starting the final period in the down position, with his coach, Les Combs, trying to be heard above the din, “Short time!”

Jones was well-aware of how little time remained. He also knew, “I’m never out of a match. I could be down 10, three seconds left — I’m going to make it work.”

In a flash, Jones not only wriggled loose, he reversed the Lions sophomore and took him straight to his back, scoring three near-fall points as the final whistle blew on his 7-3 victory.

“I just knew I wasn’t going to lose that match,” Jones said. “Never one time did I think that. I finished second last year, and it feels good to be on top. It’s been a long time coming. It’s all I ever wanted.”

Jones and the Cougars will drop to Class 5A next season, where awaiting him could be Thurston’s Kolton Malone, who won the 138 title while going unbeaten this season.

Oregon 6A wrestling state tournament: Meet the champions, placewinners, top teams

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