Hoosier wrestling added a heavyweight transfer from the United States Military Academy West Point.
Transfer Cole Jones began wrestling in kindergarten, but did not know he wanted to pursue the college ranks until much later in his career.
“My junior year of high school, I really fell in love with wrestling,” Jones said. “I started caring more about the sport, and I saw a little success. That made me want to continue getting better.”
Jones used that desire to continue getting better, and had a lot of success his senior season. Jones went 41-0 his senior season and went on to win the state championship. Overall, he finished 159-34 with two state championship appearances.
Jones initially enrolled at West Point to play football. He later withdrew from the team to wrestle for the Black Knights.
Even though he was only there for a semester, he said he has memories, both good and bad, that will be with him forever.
Jones said his favorite time at West Point was when he was a part of the wrestling team, and how he made some great friends in the process.
But he also found it challenging to manage everything that came with being an athlete at West Point, he said.
“It was extremely difficult,” Jones said. “You don’t really manage it, you just go through the motions. That was the thing about Army, it was extremely hard to manage everything.”
Army and Navy football players are often mentioned as the most disciplined athletes around, and Jones said basic training is a big part of instilling that discipline in the players and all other military academy students.
Jones said he believes Army is different than any other school for many reasons, but one sticks out more than the rest.
“It’s a military school, people are going there to serve the nation,” Jones said. “They’re going to give their lives for the nation, it’s unlike any other college.”
Jones decided it was time to open a new chapter in his life when he realized he wanted to find himself again. He added he was not his normal self at West Point and wanted to be closer to home.
Jones said he knew there was only one place he could go after Army.
“IU was it,” he said. “It’s a great school, it’s Big Ten wrestling and the location is great for me.”
IU Coach Duane Goldman and the rest of the coaching staff are happy to have him, and Goldman said he knows there is a big transition taking place to get Jones ready for next season.
“Prior to that he was in high school, so he basically stepped in second semester still just removed from a high school room,” Goldman said. “There are some growing pains, and I think he’s going through those right now.”
Jones agrees it is a tough transition. He said getting back in shape and learning the differences in how Army and IU do things are the hardest parts because right now, it’s all new to him.
This tough transition will pass with more time to get acclimated and to get back in wrestling shape. Once that time passes, Jones said he will be ready and excited.
“Very excited,” Jones said. “I can’t wait to get back on the mat and compete.”
