Jeff Esmont started his wrestling career in the seventh grade in Canton, Ohio.  It wasn't until his sophomore year at North Canton High School that he won his first match wrestling JV at 167 pounds.  His persistence paid off as he entered the District tournament his senior year in high school with an undefeated record and a number five state ranking.  A loss in the second round prevented him from reaching the State Tournament, but it taught him the value of establishing goals for wrestling and life.    In the fall of 1978, Jeff enrolled at Ashland College (now University) to pursue a degree in elementary education and the desire to compete in football and wrestling.  And compete he did, in four years of wrestling he compiled a 116-15 record, earned All-American honors three times and won the 1982 NCAA II National Championship at 190 pounds.  As a freshman Jeff compiled a 21-6 record and narrowly missed earning   NCAA III All-American honors.  In his sophomore season he went 29-4, placed fifth in the NCAA II Nationals at 190 pounds, and along with teammate Reggie Johnson became Ashland's first ever NCAA II Wrestling All-Americans.  As a junior Jeff went 33-3 and finished second in the NCAA II Nationals.  An injury in his semi-finals victory prevented him from competing in the championship match.  As a senior Jeff capped a 33-2 season by winning the 1982 NCAA II National Championships at 190 pounds.  The combined scores of his four tournament victories was 68-15.  During Jeff's final three seasons of competition he lead his team in pins each year and was selected as the Most Valuable Wrestler.    Jeff also competed well in football.  He was a starter as a guard on the offensive line and earned All-Conference status in leading his team to a Heartland Conference Championship in 1980.  Following graduation Jeff had NFL football tryouts with the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots, and several USFL teams as a punter.  He was also nominated by his school for the Heartland Conference Scholar/Athlete Award.    Following a short career as a 6th grade teacher, Jeff has spent  the last 18 years as a district sales manager for Milwaukee Electric Tool.  He and his wife Beth live in Frederick, Maryland.  They are the parents of three children, Joe, 18 a sophomore at Towson University; Mark, 17 a junior at Thomas Johnson High School; and Emilie an 8th grader at Thomas Johnson Middle School.  Jeff was inducted into the Ashland University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Stark's County (Ohio) Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1995.