Wrestling: Jones, Lebe and Villers Recognized
April 12, 2005 10:09 AM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
April 12, 2005
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With no surprise, the Most Valuable Wrestler Award went to senior Greg Jones who became just the 39th wrestler in NCAA history to win three national titles. Jones 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. Jones was dominant in winning his third national title going 5-0 and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He is the first and only EWL grappler to earn that honor and finished the season with another undefeated season at 25-0. Jones closed out his career as WVU’s all-time wins leader with a 126-4 mark.
Winning the Coaches Award for the second straight year was junior Matt Lebe. Lebe became the 20th wrestler in school history to earn All-America honors. He guaranteed himself All-America status by knocking off Stanford’s Matt Gentry, the defending national champion at 157 pounds, with a thrilling 5-3 decision in sudden victory. The Jeannette, Pa., native closed out a memorable season with a win over Chris Horning of Clarion to finish seventh at the NCAAs. Lebe’s 37 wins this season are the most by a WVU grappler since All-American Mike Mason finished 39-6 in 1998. His 37 wins are good enough for second most all-time by a West Virginia junior.
Freshman Jared Villers was named winner of the Rookie Award after a solid first year with the Mountaineers. Villers qualified for his first national tournament but stayed home because of an injured knee suffered at the 2005 Eastern Wrestling League Championships. WVU’s 197-pounder competed in 20 matches and posted a third-place finish at the Navy Classic. The Akron, Ohio, native caught rhythm late in the season posting back-to-back technical fall victories against EWL foes Edinboro and Cleveland State.
Earning team captain status were Jones and Lebe. The duo demonstrated their leadership skills on and off the mat this season while earning the respect of their teammates. Both wrestlers won EWL crowns and combined for a 62-8 record in leading West Virginia to the school’s sixth EWL dual meet championship title.
The Mountaineers enjoyed yet another solid season in 2004-05. Ranked in the Top 25 throughout the entire season, the team earned an 18th place finish at the 2005 NCAA Championships. The Mountaineers’ finish marked the fourth straight Top 25 finish and their seventh in the last eight seasons.
Continuing a tradition of athletic and academic success, 12 wrestlers made the 2004-05 EWL all-academic team. West Virginia’s 12 grapplers were the most among EWL institutions.
