JONES TO COACH U.S. TEAM AT PAN AM GAMES

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (July 28, 2003) -- West Virginia assistant wrestling coach Zeke Jones has recently been named coach of the men's U.S. freestyle wrestling squad at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, August 6-8.

"It's an honor and more importantly a great opportunity for the American wrestlers," said Jones. "We will face some outstanding competition in the Dominican. This is a great test for our wrestlers before September's World Championships."

Jones was a member of the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic freestyle coaching staffs. He also served as a coach for the 2001 U.S. Freestyle World Team. He was named the 2001 USA Wrestling Freestyle Coach of the Year.

As a competitor, Jones captured a World Championship in 1991, a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1995 World Championships. He was also a four-time World Cup gold medalist (1989-1991, 1994, 1995) and a six-time U.S. Nationals champion (1989-91, 1993-94, 1997).

He is one of only two Americans to be honored as the "Most Technical Wrestler in the World" by FILA, the Federation for International Wrestling.

Also coaching the U.S. team will be Mike Duroe, current assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania.

This event will serve as the last major competition for the U.S. squad before the World Championships, which will be held in New York City, N.Y., at the Madison Square Garden, Sept. 12-14.

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