Turnbull and Jones Honored By EWL
March 25, 2004
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Two members of the West Virginia University wrestling program were honored by the Eastern Wrestling League Thursday. Head coach Craig Turnbull was named Coach of the Year and junior grappler Greg Jones was tabbed as Wrestler of the Year.
Turnbull led an injury-plagued Mountaineer squad to a 9-5 dual meet season and a 16th place finish at the 2004 NCAA Tournament. The league honor marks the fourth for Turnbull. He previously earned coach of the year accolades in 1990, 1998 and 2002.
The consistency the Mountaineer wrestling program has maintained under Turnbull’s tutelage is nearly unmatched. Since taking over the wrestling program in 1979, Turnbull has built one of the strongest and most dominant programs in the nation. The winningest coach in the program's history, he has led the Mountaineers to a 221-148-6 dual meet record. The 26-year veteran has witnessed four individual national champions, 22 All-American performances and produced 16 Academic All-Americans.
Jones turned in the finest individual season by a WVU wrestler in school history. His 26-0 season was the first undefeated season for any Mountaineer. Jones also became the first wrestler in WVU history to win multiple national titles. This year's 184-pound NCAA champion was also a champion at 174-pounds in 2002. The junior Mountaineer did not give up an offensive point during the entire 2004 NCAA tournament in going 5-0.
Jones, a Slickville, Pa., native, opened the season by winning the prestigious Midlands title. His 7-0 record in league contests earned him the EWL Points Champion award. He won his third consecutive EWL crown in leading the Mountaineers to a share of the 2004 EWL Championship title. Jones' selection as Wrestler of the Year marks the second time he has earned the award and the fifth time a Mountaineer has claimed the honor.
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