AU alumna Wilson an office worker during week, a kickboxer on weekend
By Chris Rickerson | Sports writer
Some folks get their kicks playing games online. Others, like Jacey Wilson, get them by kicking opponents in the ring.
Wilson, who graduated from Augusta University as a communication major in 2018 and who serves as an office manager for Southpaw Roofing in Augusta, has become an amateur kickboxer. Wilson was an athlete growing up and played basketball throughout high school, but had dreams of one day of getting into the ring.
“Kickboxing is something I really wanted to get into for a long time and has been on my bucket list,” said Wilson.
Wilson started training at Greubel’s Mixed Martial Arts in Martinez two years ago.
“I fell in love with it right away,” said Wilson. “I started out slow with cardio classes and technique classes, and before you know it, I was going there every single day for training.”
Not everyone agreed with Wilson getting into kickboxing, including her mother, Julie Owens. Wilson continued to train with her coach, Jamon Cooke, and even decided to start competing. She then began to start training for her first amateur fight.
During this time, Wilson’s husband, Gregory Wilson, a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Marines, was deployed and was stationed in Yuma, Ariz. Her husband could not travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Wilson decided to stay in Augusta to continue to train and work at her job.
Wilson trained and had some practice fights to get ready for the big event. Her first fight occurred May 9 in Springfield, Tenn. Wilson had a tough time cutting the weight, but eventually made it and was prepared for the fight.
Wilson went on to lose her first fight in a split decision, which she thought she had won.
“Everyone who has looked at the fight video thought I won, and I thought I won,” said Wilson. “It was very shocking in the moment to find out that I lost in a split decision.”
Now Wilson has moved to Yuma with her husband and is working for the same company from home. She has just recently found a facility in Arizona to train and the 26-year-old plans to fight again soon.
“It started out as a hobby, but has turned to a passion of mine,” said Wilson. “My goal is to have two more fights until I decide I want to build a family with my husband.”
Wilson has no plans to fight professionally, unless the opportunity comes about down the road.
Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.
Kickboxer Jacey Wilson (R) trains in the ring; she lost her first fight in a split decision but plans to continue her amateur career. (photo by Julianna Owens, special to the Bell Ringer)
