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By John Wesley Jr.
During the Tour of Guam road cycling race last Sunday, November 15th, there was one familiar face missing from amongst the racers. Last year’s fourth place overall finisher, Jacob ‘Jake”’Jones of Mangilao, did not compete for this year’s title. Jones was also the winner in his age division, an accomplishment he considers as one of his most memorable sports moments.
It’s not that Jake is injured or that he’s not in shape to compete with the best, but Jones has a bigger task at hand, preparing for the upcoming collegiate cycling season. Jones, a Father Duenas graduate, now lives half a world a way in North Carolina, attending Lees-McRae College on a cycling scholarship.
According to their website, the Lees-McRae Bobcats compete in NCAA Division II in Conference Carolina, however, they also have a team that competes in Division I.
Jones learned of his scholarship the beginning of his senior year of high school after he sent in a rider resume and was contacted by coaches at the school. The most impressive thing about this accomplishment is that Jones only recently began taking road cycling seriously.
“I’ve always ridden motocross and used it for training,” wrote Jones via email from the school, “but just in the past year and a half I’ve gotten serious about it and progressed so much.”
Currently Jake is hard at work, training for the upcoming season which begins in February. Jake’s goals in the sport include racing and competing at the highest level and inspiring more of Guam’s youth to get into the sport.
As for himself, Jones credits local riders Patrick Camacho, Jon Martin and two-time Olympian Derek Horton for being mentors and positive influences for him. Jones was also quick to point out that he has had a tremendous amount of support from his family. He also has some advice for anyone considering getting into competitive cycling.
“In my opinion, the cycling community on Guam is a really good group to begin in. With the races we (Guam) have, you can quickly find where you belong and work from there. Commitment and hard work also opens up many opportunities for travel and even collegiate cycling.”
Jake also had a message to the his cycling friends and fellow competitors, “See you in Saipan next month for the Hell of the Marianas!”
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon