Ed-Co’s Michael Jones wrapping senior season

It's sad to think a career that started as a young boy has come to an end.

Edgewood-Colesburg wrestler Michael Jones wrestled his last match during last month's district wrestling tournament. Overcoming large obstacles during his senior year, Jones was able to finally make it and wrestle at districts.

Jones; wrestling career started when he was a youngster, part of the Little Vikes. He learned many skills needed to become an amazing wrestler.

'I started Little Vikes when I was only in third grade,” Jones said.

He wrestled all the way through junior high and high school, attending many camps throughout the summer months.

'These camps helped me advance as a wrestler,” he said.

Jones qualified for district competition his sophomore year, but his season was brought to an abrupt halt when he was diagnosed with impetigo and he wasn't able to compete. Jones was on track for a district berth as a junior, but that too was brought to a halt when he was injured during a wrestling match. He broke his collarbone and his chance to make it any farther was crushed.

He overcame these obstacles and focused on this senior year. The wrestling season started smoothly, but Jones then had a slight injury in his knee.

'I had bad bruising in my PCL in my knee early in the season,” he said.

This was just another obstacle to overcome.

'My broken collarbone definitely affected my wrestling,” he said.

Jones finally made it to district as a senior, coming up short in both of his matches and his search for his 100th career win. Jones has learned through the years wrestling is different from other sports.

'It would have been nice to be able to wrestle down at state wrestling,” he said. 'It is a one-on-one competition and you can't push the blame for not winning on someone else.”

Although Viking wrestling is complete, Jones has two more seasons of high school sports to look forward to.

'It is crazy to think that I only have track and baseball left for my high school sports career,” he said.

Track has started and is in full swing for all runners. Jones has done his share of running over the years, starting since he was in fifth grade.

'I used to go to Maquoketa Valley when I was little with my friends for a Sunday track day,” he said.

This year Jones will be competing with on the 3,2000-meter relay team.

'In the past years I have done the mile, two mile, and the 4x800 meter, I've never qualified for state in any event though,” he said. 'I don't mind track because it is just running.”

Once track is over, Jones will get ready for his last high school sport - baseball.

'I like baseball the most out of the sports I play,” he said.

His baseball career all started when he participated in T-ball when he was in kindergarten.

'Over the years I have learned many skills and would love to take my skills I have on to college.” he said.

Jones started varsity as a freshman and has been playing at there ever since. He is a center fielder and also a pitcher for the Vikings. Jones loves to pitch and will pitch an entire game if he can.

'The pitch I find myself very comfortable and confident in is my change up,” he said.

Last year Jones was named first team all-Upper Iowa Conference at center field and second team all-district at pitcher. After his high school baseball season ends, Jones is planning to attend the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in the fall.

'I would like to play baseball in college and I'm planning to do tryouts and hopefully get on the team,” he said.

It will be bitter sweet for Jones after he plays his last high school career game, but he has his fingers crossed that it won't be the last time getting to throw his change-up or get his hands on a bat.