Jones Named EWL Wrestler of the Week

By Ira Green
WVU Sports Information Office

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 26, 2009) – Redshirt junior Donnie Jones of the West Virginia University wrestling team was named the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) Wrestler of the Week for his back-to-back road wins at 165 pounds at Bloomsburg and Clarion.

The Slickville, Pa., native helped spark the Mountaineers to a victory in the team’s first EWL meet on Jan. 23. Facing a difficult test in No. 17-ranked Ricky Schmelyun, Jones registered three takedowns in the match, plus a reversal and more than four minutes of riding time for the 9-1 major decision, his first of the season. Following Jones’ victory, WVU went on to win its next four bouts for the 19-16 win at Bloomsburg.

Despite his next match coming less than 24 hours later, Jones was prepared, posting a 15-6 major decision over Clarion’s Dominic Ross. Jones notched four takedowns through the first two periods and then tacked on five more points in the third period with 1:32 in riding time for the victory.

Jones, who is the first Mountaineer to win the award this season, has won his last four matches, including one by technical fall. On the season, Jones owns a 4-2 record and is fifth on the team in takedowns (21).

WVU returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 31, at EWL rival Lock Haven. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m. at Thomas Fieldhouse.

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