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Pride, passion at stake on the mats for Zephyrhills Christian’s Malik Jones

 
Published Feb. 6, 2018|Updated Feb. 6, 2018

ZEPHYRHILLS — Before every meet or game, Zephyrhills Christian sophomore Malik Jones includes a simple mantra in his prayer: "Help me put ZCA on the map." It is a cause, a mission for Jones, who has been with the school started by his grandfather and uncle since he attended day care.

It may seem to be a lot to put on the shoulders of a kid who isn't old enough to vote. But it is a chore he does without thought or hesitation for the small school that has just started playing Florida High School Athletic Association-regulated sports within the past five seasons.

"My dad always used to tell me when we were playing Madden that pressure busts pipes," Jones said.

But at 285 pounds, Jones is no pipe. And if he is feeling any pressure, it has been refining him into a diamond from the rough.

"We don't pressure him at all," said wrestling/football coach Mike Smith, who also is Jones' great uncle. "The kids like Malik, who have been here long-term, love the school. Everyone has a chip on their shoulders. I think everyone thinks we can't be successful because we're small, and I think that drives the kids.

"Malik isn't an arrogant kid. He's not cocky. When he comes out, he prepares harder than anyone and he knows he's prepared for a battle. If he loses, it only drives him harder."

Now Jones has more motivation. In just his third season wrestling, he started out the season with a remarkable 33-0 record. The perfect season ended two weekends ago when he fell by decision to Plant High's Will Putnam in the 285-pound championship division of the Live Greco Invitational at Steinbrenner. The following weekend, Jones suffered a tough double-overtime loss to eventual champion Curtis Ruff of Lake Highland Prep in the semifinals of the Tony Ippolito Memorial. A loss to Carter Harris of Harmony followed in the third-place match to put him at 42-3 on the season.

Still, considering how far Jones has come in the sport and how he has responded to adversity in the past, the recent losses may provide more motivation to his ultimate goal — a state title.

Junior Anthony Soto wrestles with Malik Jones, who has state aspirations in just his third season on the mats. (MONICA HERNDON | Times)

"It would hurt but I know that I'm not getting pinned," said Jones of the thought of losing at any point this season just two days before his first loss.

"If that was to happen, I'm going to come back harder, come back stronger. That's why I try to train the best every day. I know no one is training like me so I don't have to feel that again. … It's state championship or bust."

Those in the sport don't doubt it could happen, if not this year then in the next two seasons. What convinced Jones was defeating 2017 state qualifier Michael Morales of Lemon Bay this season 3-0.

Mark DeAugustino, who coached state champions at Pasco High and now works with the wrestlers at ZCA, said Jones has the demeanor of a champion.

"Every aspect of his wrestling has improved," DeAugustino said. "He is the real deal. He's one that listens and he's able to see it and apply it and if he doesn't apply it correctly, then he's able to take constructive criticism."

Making it to state two years after picking up the sport for the first time is amazing after going 1-6 in his first season.

"I was getting pinned in 15 seconds, 30 seconds," Jones said. "It was embarrassing."

Following that season, Jones started training with a purpose. On Mondays and Fridays, he worked with Ty Timmons of Resolute Training on his footwork. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he would work with Sherman Armstrong at Vast Sports Performance on strength and conditioning. And on Wednesdays for an hour before he would attend church, Jones worked with Coril Joseph of Bay Area Labs.

The dedication paid off as he not only made the state tournament in wrestling last year (he went 1-2), but also helped ZCA make the playoffs for the first time in football. Jones also is a member of the basketball team.

That's a lot, but Jones is not done.

"The great ones, they don't have to act tough, don't have to show off, they just go through life as a champion," DeAugustino said. "It just radiates. Malik has that."

Smith agrees.

"He's not an arrogant or cocky kid," Smith said. "If he loses, it only pushes him harder. He loves it. He enjoys it. (ZCA) is his home, his family. He said he's going to put us on the map. He's going too."

Wrestling postseason

Feb. 12-17: District tournaments at various sites

Feb. 23-24: Region tournaments at various sites

March 2-3: State tournament at Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee