Wrestling: Replay of Jones' Title Match Today
March 22, 2005 11:45 AM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
March 22, 2005
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Jones became just the 39th wrestler in NCAA history to win three national titles with his 5-3 decision over Cornell’s Tyler Baier on Saturday evening at the Savvis Center in St. Louis.
In a tournament full of upsets, Jones was able to avoid that fate by collecting a technical fall, two major decisions and a pair of close victories to be named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. WVU’s 184-pounder is the first and only Eastern Wrestling League grappler to earn that honor.
Jones’ focus paid off as he improved his NCAA tournament career record to 17-2. He also became only the 20th wrestler in NCAA history to win multiple national titles at different weight classes. The Slickville, Pa., native won as a freshman at 174 pounds and added two more at 184 pounds in his final two seasons.
A crowd of 16,302 saluted Jones as he left the mat for the final time wearing the old Gold and Blue. Jones closed out his senior season going a perfect 25-0 while outscoring his opponents 298-82 on the year.
Jones, WVU’s all-time wins leader, finished his collegiate career with a 51-match win streak and back-to-back undefeated seasons. Jones was taken down just 10 times in 130 career matches while sporting a career record of 126-4.
The Hodge Trophy finalist became only the second three-time NCAA champion from the Eastern Wrestling League, joining Rick Bonomo of Bloomsburg who won three 118 pounds titles from 1985-1987.
West Virginia finished in 18th place in team standings with 34 points behind Jones and All-American Matt Lebe. Oklahoma State won its third consecutive team championship with 153 points behind five national champions. The Mountaineers finish marked the fourth straight Top 25 finish and seventh in the last eight seasons.
