Malaina Jones spent eight years in foster care, bouncing between 10 different homes and even experiencing two failed adoptions.
KLEIN, Texas — After life threw countless obstacles her way, Klein Oak High School wrestler Malaina Jones is now stronger and more determined than ever.
Malaina spent eight years in foster care, bouncing between 10 different homes and even experiencing two failed adoptions.
“I was trying to prove my biological mom wrong. That I can keep going, I could be successful even after all of this,” she said. “Finding somewhere where you think you belong and then having that taken away from you over and over and over again, so it’s very hard and it is very devastating.”
It was after those adversities Malaina finally found stability through the love of her adoptive parent, Allanda Nichols.
“When Malaina first came to us, she had identified herself by what others had said about her. She lacked self-confidence, she lacked motivation and determination. She lacked it all,” Nichols said.
After facing a rocky and uncertain start in life, Malaina looks back on the turning point that gave her a sense of belonging.
“It was scary in the beginning because I didn’t know what was really going on and I couldn’t trust anyone but as soon as we were adopted, it was like, oh they, they actually care about us and it was just. It was like, I don’t know, it was just such a bright moment and it changed my life,” Malaina said.
Malaina was initially hesitant to take up wrestling, but after persistent encouragement from her mom, she decided to give it a shot.
“It was a struggle, not gonna lie,” she said. “But once I got my first match, I was like ok, I’m a new me now. This is going to be different. This is going to be good.”
Now three years later and a senior at Klein Oak, Jones holds Houston’s No. 1 spot in her division and finished 3rd in state.
“She has got, like, a killer instinct. So, when she’s in the top position in wrestling, she can pin anybody at any given moment,” said Klein Oak wrestling coach Ian Jones.
For Malaina, wrestling is more than just a sport — it’s a testament to her resilience.
“In wrestling, you need resilience to keep going through even after a loss and to bounce back and just like my past, I had the resilience to keep going, to bounce back, to keep my head up,” Malaina said.
Beyond the medals and rankings, the sport has given Jones something even greater — another family.
“Every kid has just the same thing to say about her. She is, she’s a great friend. She’s a great teammate, incredibly supportive, and then her heart of just like how much she pours herself into everything she does,” Jones said.
“Hearing people say that that I’m a good friend and that, they talk so good about me it, it makes me really happy,” Malaina said.
Once lacking confidence, Malaina now inspires others.
“I’m so proud of her. I actually recently just lost 70 pounds and seeing them overcome their own challenges, I realized I could do it,” Nichols said.
Through the ups and downs, one thing is clear, Malaina always had the fight in her. All she needed was the right people in her corner.
“Thank you for being able to love me even though you didn’t really know me as a kid. I really appreciate that, but yeah just thank you for being there for me,” Malaina said.