Harvey to honor former wrestler Jones

Ian Jones is not forgotten. The Harvey wrestling program is making sure of that.

A two-time All-Ohioan in wrestling, Jones died on May 31, 2018. To honor his memory, as well as his contributions to the Red Raiders’ program, Harvey is holding the inaugural Ian Jones Duals on Saturday, Feb. 15.

The Red Raiders will be joined in a 10-team field by Barberton, Canfield (B), Columbiana, Highland, John Adams, Mayfield (B), South Range, Twinsburg and Uniontown Lake (B).

“Ian was a tremendous wrestler for us, but more than that, he was a big part of our school and or community,” said Harvey head coach Van McWreath. “He worked hard, he cared about his teammates and his community. He showed you can go on to do great things from here.”

Jones went on to wrestle for four years at The Apprentice School in Newport News, Va. While also wrestling for The Builders, he earned his degree in Heavy Metal Fabrication.

McWreath said many of the current Harvey student-athletes don’t know much about Jones, since he graduated a decade ago, but that he hopes the Ian Jones Duals brings light to his legacy.

“What a great way to honor him and make sure his name goes down in history,” McWreath said. “His photo is on the wall here, but this tournament is a way to remember his legacy.”

Jones finished as Division II state runner-up as heavyweight as a junior, finishing with a 37-3 record after a tight 5-4 loss to Urichsville Claymont’s Josh Jackson in the championship match.

As a senior, Jones went 43-7 and finished seventh in the Division II state tournament, ending his high school career on a high note with a pin of Celina’s Cody Welke in the consolation finals.