Central Oklahoma's David James earns 300th dual win

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Mike Kirk (University of Central Oklahoma)
01/18/2008


HAYS, Kan. - Central Oklahoma's David James reached a rare coaching milestone here Thursday night, picking up his 300th career dual win as the No. 3-ranked Bronchos rolled past No. 20 Fort Hays State, 30-10.

UCO got falls from 184-pounder Heath Jolley and heavyweight Dustin Finn in addition to recording three major decisions in routing the Tigers and improving to 7-3 on the season.

James improved to 300-103-4 in his 26th year at the UCO helm, becoming just the 33rd coach in college wrestling history -- and the ninth active -- to record 300 dual wins.  The veteran skipper has led the Bronchos to 12 national championships during his storied tenure, earning national Coach the Year honors seven times.

"Obviously it's a great honor to win 300 duals, but all that means is I've been around a long time and we've had a lot of great wrestlers come through the program," said James, who himself was a four-time All-American and two-time national champion for the Bronchos. "I've been really blessed over the years to have the type support we've had from the university, the athletic department and the wrestlers who have made this program what it is.

"We looked a little tired tonight, but that's probably understandable coming off a short week and being on the road after a long trip last weekend.  We wrestled hard and we had a lot of bonus wins, which you always like to see."

UCO lost the opening match at 125 pounds to fall behind 3-0, but came back with five straight wins to take control.

Tim Elliott, Kyle Evans and Colby Robinson had consecutive major decisions to put the Bronchos on top, with wins by 157 Jason Leavitt and 165 Paul Mayfield pushing UCO's lead to 18-3.

FHSU picked up wins in two of the final four matches, but the Bronchos more than made up for that with first-period pins by Jolley and Finn.

UCO is back in action again Saturday, hosting top-ranked Nebraska-Kearney at 8 p.m.