By Ken Wunderley, Tri-State Sports & News Service
Iowa State wrestling coach Bobby Douglas couldn’t have summed it up any better after watching West Virginia senior Greg Jones win his third NCAA Division I title.
“Greg Jones is a very deserving candidate for the Hodge Trophy. He is one of those special athletes, like a Cael Sanderson, who brings something special to the mat each time out.
“This is a kid who loves the sport and takes great pride in his wrestling.”
The Dan Hodge Trophy has been awarded to the nation’s top wrestler by the International Wrestling Institute and Museum and Wrestling International Newsmagazine since 1995. The 2005 winner of the Hodge Trophy will be announced this month.
“It’s definitely exciting to be a candidate for the Hodge Trophy, “said Jones, a graduate of Greensburg Salem High School. “It would be a perfect way to cap my collegiate career.”
Jones concluded his career last Saturday with a 5-3 decision against Cornell’s Tyler Baier in the 184-pound title match.
It was a school-record 51st consecutive victory for Jones, who finished as West Virginia’s all-time victories leader with a 126-4 record.
“Greg is more than deserving of the award, “said head coach Craig Turnbull after Jones was named Outstanding Wrestler of the 2005 championships. “He has dominated his weight class for the past two seasons. Greg has worked very hard to get to this point of his career. What he has done for our university, the league and the sport is somewhat immeasurable. I am very proud to have coached such a classy wrestler and even better person.”
Jones, who compiled a 17-2 record in his four NCAA tournament appearances, is only the 39th wrestler in NCAA history to win three titles, and only the 20th wrestler to win multiple national titles at different weight classes. Jones won his first gold medal as a 174-pound freshman, then claimed the final two at 184 pounds.
“It was great to go out like that, “said Jones. “It’s nice honor to be recognized by all the coaches from around the nation. Each championship has had special meaning, but this one was a little different.
“I tried to enjoy the whole tournament while maintaining a certain focus.”
Jones especially had to keep his focus during the semifinals. Prior to his 5-2 win against Brian Glynn of Illinois, Jones was informed that Lehigh University’s Troy Letters, a returning national champion and graduate of Shaler High School, had been upset.
“I was in the back warming up for my semifinal match when I heard the news, “said Jones. “It was disappointing because Troy is a great guy.”
In the title match, Jones (25-0) scored a takedown at the edge of the mat one minute into the opening period for a 2-0 lead. Baier escaped before the period ended, but Jones increased his lead to 5-1 with an escape and double-leg takedown in the second period. Baier’s only points came on escapes.
“I have enjoyed every moment of being able to compete for West Virginia University, “said Jones, who was taken down only 10 times in 130 career matches. “To think that my collegiate career is over, I don’t think it has really set in.”
Jones will graduate in May with a degree in sports psychology. He plans to take a year off from school, then return with hopes of earning a master’s degree, but has no plans of ending his wrestling career.
“I would eventually like to wrestle in the Olympics, “said Jones. “It will be very tough, but I’m always up for a challenge.”
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