Greg Jones (wrestler)
Encyclopedia
Greg Jones is one of the most successful American collegiate wrestlers of all-time. At West Virginia University
, Jones won three NCAA
Division I wrestling titles - one of only 39 wrestlers to accomplish that feat in the tournament's 75-year history.
Shortly after his 5-3 decision of Cornell
's Tyler Baier in the 184 pound finals, Jones was named the 2005 tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. In addition to his title in 2005, Jones won the 184 pound title in 2004 and the 174 pound title as a freshman in 2002.
. He was the third of 5 children. Greg's older brother Vertus was a 3-time All-American wrestler. In high school, Jones won the PIAA
championship as a member of the Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions wrestling team and was a two-time state champion. Greg went on to win three national championships as a member of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He set his high school's record for career wins.
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
, Jones won three NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I wrestling titles - one of only 39 wrestlers to accomplish that feat in the tournament's 75-year history.
Shortly after his 5-3 decision of Cornell
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
's Tyler Baier in the 184 pound finals, Jones was named the 2005 tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. In addition to his title in 2005, Jones won the 184 pound title in 2004 and the 174 pound title as a freshman in 2002.
Background
Greg Jones was born on August 10, 1982, in Greensburg, PennsylvaniaGreensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
. He was the third of 5 children. Greg's older brother Vertus was a 3-time All-American wrestler. In high school, Jones won the PIAA
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....
championship as a member of the Greensburg-Salem Golden Lions wrestling team and was a two-time state champion. Greg went on to win three national championships as a member of the West Virginia University Mountaineers. He set his high school's record for career wins.
Noteworthy statistics
- One of 39 3-time NCAA champions
- One of 20 wrestlers to win titles at two different weights
- One of 10 wrestlers to win a national title as a freshmanFreshmanA freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
- 126-4 career record
- His only losses were to Otto Olson of Michigan (9-8), Ralph Everett (3-2 t.b.), and Rashad EvansRashad EvansRashad Anton Evans is an American mixed martial artist from Niagara Falls, New York, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Evans won the heavyweight division of The Ultimate Fighter 2. Evans lost the UFC Light Heavyweight...
of Michigan State (3-2). The fourth loss was a forfeit. - West Virginia's all-time wins leader
- Undefeated his junior and senior years
- Ended career with a 51-match win streak
- 4-time Eastern Wrestling LeagueEastern Wrestling LeagueThe Eastern Wrestling League is an NCAA Division I wrestling-only conference. It is made up mostly of schools from the northeastern United States whose primary conferences do not sponsor wrestling as an NCAA-qualifying event...
(EWL) champion - First EWL wrestler to be named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
tournament - Was taken down just ten times in his career
- Outscored opponents 298-82 his senior year
- Voted 2004 West Virginia AmateurAmateurAn amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
Athlete of the Year - 17-2 record in 4 NCAA tournaments
- Member of the Eastern Wrestling League and NWCA All-Academic Teams