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Lights land Chinook wrestling star

Montana State University-Northern has picked up a lot of local talent in the past, and now with another Hi-Line addition, the Lights' wrestling program hopefully added another future success to the recruiting list.

The Northern Lights wrestling program and head

Chinook's Jorrell Jones pins a Chester/J-I opponent during the 2009 Havre Invitational. Jones, who recently signed to wrestle at MSU-Northern, is a returning state champion at 215 pounds and is currently ranked No. 1 at that weight in Class B-C.

coach Tyson Thivierge have announced the signing of Chinook senior Jorrell Jones, a prep wrestling and football star.

"This is a good signing for us," Thivierge said. "He (Jones) is a big and talented kid and he has a lot of confidence in his abilities. Ever since I have been here, Jorrell (Jones) has been around, and we have kept tabs on him. It has been nice being able to see a local kid like that grow and really come into their own."

Jones has made a name for himself as a Chinook Sugarbeeter since his freshman year. And while a Class C state football championship a year ago highlights his football accomplishments, it is what he has done on the mat that caught Thivierge's eye.

Jones has wrestled at 215-pounds his entire career. As a freshman Jones took third at state, and followed suit with a fourth-place finish at the state tournament as a sophomore. And last year as a junior, Jones turned in his best finish yet, grabbing a No. 1 finish. This year Jones returns to the 215-pound weight class, and is looking to cap off an already successful career. He has gotten off to a great start and will look to grab another No. 1 finish at the state tournament.

A lot of football programs were vying for the talents of Jones, but the Northern wrestling program seemed to be the right fit. Schools like Western, Rocky Mountain College and Minot State were interested, but Northern won out.

"I signed there (MSU-N) because Northern has always been a good program and is continually getting better," Jones said. "And it's a tough room, with a lot of good guys. And Tyson (Thivierge) knows what it takes to be successful at the next level and I am really excited to move and face the challenge."

Chinook has produced some great wrestling talent over the years, including Willy Miller (174), who is currently wrestling for the Lights as a freshman. That combined with Jones's knowledge of the program is hopefully a recipe for success for both Jones and the Lights' program.

"Through talking with Jones," Thivierge said. "He shares that ambition of getting this program success. He wants to be a big part of that, and again, that just speaks to his confidence.

"I hope to come in and wrestle well and show what I am capable of," Jones added. And hopefully I can make a good impression, work hard and find success."

Jones has found his success at 215 pounds in high school, but may make his mark at 197 pounds or heavyweight for the Lights. Thivierge wants to get Jones in the weight room and see what happens, and wherever he fits best is where he will enter the lineup.

"I truly think he will make the biggest impact at heavyweight," Thivierge said. "He is a big strong kid and we will just see how he matures and see what his body does. He could be done growing, but if he got bigger and sprouted a couple of inches, that would be unbelievable and he would do great."

 

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