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Metro Pacesetter -- Moline's Adarios Jones: Only ranking that matters to Maroons' mat star is his own
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By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com
By Daniel Makarewicz, danmak@qconline.com
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Freely admitting that a state wrestling championship is an expectation and not a dream, Adarios Jones does not shy away from the pressure. About the only thing he avoids are rankings. Still unranked in the Illinois Best Weekly Class 3A state poll, there is no concern in his voice as Jones, a Moline 285-pound junior wrestler, talks about the lack of statewide attention. It's nearly impossible to discuss rankings when you have not even seen them. "I don't look at them at all," said Jones, this week's Metro Pacesetter for The Dispatch and The Rock Island Argus. "I did it a lot my freshman year because I was dreaming of being up there. I know for a fact I'll be up there." To some, that seems like a far-fetched thought. Those who create the polls seem to feel that way. Sensing that provides fuel in his quest. "Being an underdog has always been a favorite of mine," Jones said. "It doesn't bother me one bit." The big picture is Jones' lone focus, a journey that is starting strong. So far this season, he is undefeated in nine matches with four falls and a team-high 18 takedowns entering Wednesday dual against Geneseo. Three of those nine victories are against ranked opponents. "A pretty good start," Jones said. "I haven't looked into the significance of it yet because the big thing I'm trying to do is win state. You can't focus on individual matches. I've got to go out and wrestle how I've wrestled." A quarter of the way through the season, Jones is rolling. Whether it be a pin or decision, he handles his business each time he takes the mat with a quiet confidence that overshadows any number. The belief is there that a state title can be reached. During a brief chat inside the Moline wrestle room, Jones stops chatting about the season and gazes at one sign hanging above the mat honoring every state medalist in program history. "Everyday I'm looking at that," Jones said. "A.J. Lavender is the last person (to win a state title, doing so in 2003). One day, I envision him walking in here and congratulating me because I was going to be the next person on the board." Each time Jones takes the mat, he's thinking that way. "He's made it clear that he thinks he can beat everybody in the state," Moline coach Todd Thompson said. "I want him to be up for every challenge put in front of him. He doesn't back down from anything." Two reasons put that chip on Jones' shoulder. A history of health issues have limited his career, including a concussion that knocked him out the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships in July. On top of that, he was disqualified from the sectional last year after allegedly biting his quarterfinal opponent. Those alone serve as motivation.Being unranked adds to it as well. "I don't believe any of them are better than me," Jones said. The start to this season validates that statement. "I guarantee you every heavyweight knows who he is," Thompson said. "He knows he can beat the kids who are ranked. The rankings don't mean anything at this point." The only ranking Jones worries about is the one that comes in late February. "First," Jones said. "That's all I have." Metro Pacesetter - Moline's Adarios Jones Favorite food: Chicken alfredo Favorite movie: "Remember the Titans" Favorite color: Maroon Favorite TV show: "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Favorite team: West Virginia Mountaineers Parents: John and Joellyn Schott, Moline In the running Brandon Mizlo, Geneseo: The 182-pound junior won the Rockford East Invitational after four victories, including two pins. Trey Sigel, Rock Island: Scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting during the Rocks' 74-39 Western Big 6 Conference win at Alleman. 
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Today is Sunday, May 19, the 139th day of 2013. There are 226 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: The Rt. Rev. Harry I. Witherspoon, D.D. Bishop of Illinois, willpreach in Trinity (Episcopal) Church, in this city this evening.
1888 -- 125 years ago: At 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon the Mississippi River flooded itsbanks at Rock Island, destroying the warehouse of the Rock Island Lumber companyand damaging the Lumber Company and arsenal power plant. Total loss isestimated at $100.000.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Residents of South Rock Island township are circulating a petitionfavoring the annexation of that area to the city of Rock Island.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Mrs. Thomas Ackles, of Rock Island, has been elected president ofthe Playcrafters for the next season. She succeeds Warren Leonard.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Some 8,000 people filed through the gates of Rock Island Arsenal on Saturday to view a display of a part of the nation's armed strength. The occasion was theannual observance of Armed Forces Day.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Willis Kuschmann, of Moline, who already has won his laurels as oneof the most artistic men in the Quad-Cities area, has a new hobby. He is deeply involvedin miniature railroading. At the age of 88, when many other seniors are dozing in theirchairs or sitting before the television, Mr. Kuschmann is planning and working on hiscollection.
(More History)