Alisal's Jones to be inducted in California Wrestling Hall of Fame

The late Wayne Jones is receiving the ultimate honor in sports, as he will be enshrined on May 2 into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame.

A 1978 graduate of Alisal High, who wrestled under Terry Espinoza, Jones competed on the San Jose State wrestling team, where he evolved into arguably the greatest wrestler in school history.

Jones became the first and still only San Jose State wrestler to place at the NCAA finals in 1982, where he finished third, earning All-American honors by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Jones, who passed away in 2009 from ALC, became a professional kickboxer following his college wrestling career, training at The Breadbox in Salinas, winning the North American ISKA Welterweight title at the age of 39.

A multi-sport athlete at Alisal, Jones capped his kickboxing career by winning the ISKA Junior Welterweight World Championship in 2000 before retiring, cementing his legacy.

Jones becomes the first county wrestler to be inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the second individual, joining former Pacific Grove coach Bill Grant, who was enshrined in 2004.

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This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 9:58 AM.