Freshman Karissa Jones has etched her name into Perry wrestling history, becoming the first female wrestler to win a junior high state championship for the Lady Maroons.
Jones captured the title in dominant fashion, winning her finals match 19-4 and capping off what has been an extraordinary season. Following the state tournament, she holds an impressive 38-8 record with 26 falls.
Karissa’s championship run is just the latest highlight in a year filled with podium finishes. She claimed first-place honors at the Top of Oklahoma tournament, Bring the Hammer Tournament in Cabot, Arkansas, Tuttle Tournament, and the Will Rogers Conference Tournament. She also placed fourth at Supergirl and third at Sand Springs, consistently proving herself among the region’s top competitors.
Her success has been fueled by a blend of power and athleticism that has separated her from much of the competition. When Jones shoots her signature double leg takedown, few opponents have been able to stop it.
Despite her dominance, the road to the state title was not without challenges. Heading into the finals, nerves were evident. Jones had previously faced her championship opponent and had been pinned.
“I could see on her face that she was nervous before the finals,” Coach Bryan Wilson said. “I knew she had wrestled the girl once before and had gotten pinned.”
During a break before the match, the coaching staff laid out a clear strategy, and Jones executed the plan to near perfection, repeatedly taking down her opponent and building a commanding lead on her way to a 19-4 victory.
Wilson shares, “I’m very excited for Karissa and can’t wait to see what the next few weeks bring for her and our high school team.”
With her historic state championship and a standout freshman campaign already under her belt, Jones has firmly established herself as a rising force in Perry wrestling — and her season is far from over.