Brent Jones Takes Runner-Up Honors at Sunkist Kids International Tournament

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia volunteer wrestling coach Brent Jones had an impressive showing last weekend at the Sunkist Kids International Tournament, earning runner-up honors in the 96KG/211.5-pound class. The tournament was contested in Tempe, Ariz.

“This tournament gave me much needed experience that I use to springboard my career as I chase my dream of becoming a world and Olympic champion,” Jones said. “This was the first competition of my international career and to tell the truth, I did not do what I wanted, but you have to start somewhere and I will take a silver and a busted face anyday.”

On the road to the championship match, Jones scored a pair of impressive wins. Jones defeated David Prieto of Sunkist Kids, 2-0, 6-0, in the quarterfinals. He then downed 2010 NCAA heavyweight champion David Zabriskie of Sunkist Kids, 3-0, 0-1, 3-0, in the semifinals to earn a spot in the finals.

Jones jumped out to an early lead in the championship match before falling by decision to Brandon Halsey, 7-3, 4-0. Halsey was a former NCAA All-American at Cal State Bakersfield.

Jones wrestled at Virginia from 2005-10 and finished his UVa career as the school’s all-time leader in pins (45) and fourth in career victories (106).

Jones earned the 2010 Gorrarian Trophy at the NCAA Championships. The award is presented to the wrestler who pinned the most opponents in the least amount of time at the championships. Jones recorded a pair of pins in the competition and needed just one minute, 33 seconds to do so.