Baker state champs Rasean Jones and Oakley Anderson receive championship rings

Published 12:00 pm Monday, July 17, 2023

Two Baker Bulldog athletes received gleaming recognitions of their accomplishments this year as Lew Brothers Les Schwab carried on its tradition of bestowing trophy rings to BHS state champions.

On Friday, July 14, store co-owner Rocky Brown had two rings to award, one for Rasean Jones, who won the Class 4A state title in both the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles races as a freshman in May, and one for sophomore Oakley Anderson, who won the state title in the 170-pound division at the Class 4A/3A/2A/1A state wrestling tournament in February.

“We here at Les Schwab are proud of state champions and student athletes, and proud we can be here for them,” Brown said.

Both students set remarkable precedents early on, and say they have plans to continue into the new sports years coming up.

Two Baker teams — boys golf and girls basketball — also won state titles this past school year, and they will receive their rings in separate ceremonies.

During Friday’s event, Jones thanked his coaches, Suzy Cole and Dakotah Keys, for “pushing me every day, and God for blessing me with abilities.”

Jones said he plans to compete again as a sophomore in track as well as football and basketball.

He’s among the nation’s top 20 high school hurdlers.

Jones’ father, Jebron Jones, who is also the Baker boys varsity basketball coach, said he is gratified by Rasean’s hard work.

“He loves the work and it’s fun to go through that journey with him,” said Jebron Jones, who attended Friday’s event with his wife and Rasean’s mom, Amy, as well as Rasean’s older brother, Isaiah, who was a member of the boys state golf championship team this spring.

“Nobody sees the hard work he does behind the scenes — he’s focused, morning, noon and night,” Amy Jones said.

Cole, who is the Baker track and field head coach, said of Rasean: “I respect him for how humble he always is, and respectful of coaches, teams, and other athletes, and obviously his desire to work hard and always push himself. With that kind of talent he’s humble and easily coachable. Looking forward to three more years, see what we can do.”

Anderson attended the ceremony with her father, Josh, who is the Baker girls wrestling coach, and her mother, Kari Anderson.

Oakley said she plans to compete in soccer this fall and in wrestling during the winter to try to repeat as a state champion. She hasn’t decided on a spring sport. She has played softball in the past.

“I wanted to thank my family, and Mark and Savanah Kerns, and my friends and family, and my coach,” Oakley said following the ring ceremony.

Josh Anderson said Oakley’s example has stirred interest in wrestling among local girls, with several new competitors attending summer camps.

“It’s been a fun season, exciting season,” he said. “And fun to see how much she progressed through the year. Just thankful to be a part of it.”

He said he also appreciates the support from Lew Brothers and community members whose donations help to buy the rings.

“It’s pretty special — not every town has these guys and we appreciate it, there’s a lot of support from the local community,” Josh Anderson said.

“I’m very proud of Oakley and all her hard work,” Kari Anderson said. “She works hard in everything she does, and she’s never one to boast about her abilities.”