Elliott wins national title

Elliott wins national title

ROCHESTER, Minn. - Tim Elliott, a rambuncious sort, had an unorthodox way of celebrating his 125-pound NJCAA national tournament wrestling championship victory Saturday night at the UCR Regional Sports Center

Labette Community's College Elliott, who pinned Ray Stephens of Chicago's Waubonsee College, greeted Cardinals head coach Joe Renfro with a left-right combination to the face.

That's right. Elliott punched his head coach in the face, and Renfro didn't mind.

"When he reached out to shake my hand, he got a left hook to the jaw," Elliott said. "I jumped up in the air and we hugged each other and I ran off the mat.

Elliott said Renfro made the comment before that the only time any of his wrestlers could punch him in the face without him getting upset is if they won a national title.

Elliott seized the opportunity.

"We talked about it all year," Renfro said. "It started out as a joke and he said, 'Coach, if I win it, can I punch you?' and I said, 'Yea, sure, whatever, you just go ahead and worry about winning.'

"By golly, he wasn't joking. He got some shots in. I can slip a mean dodge. I've unfortunately had quite a few get thrown my way over the years.

"It was kind of the heat of the moment and just an awesome thing. Then I gave him a hug and he broke a tear there. Tim did the best that he possibly could have done."

Besides winning the national crown, Elliott was also named as the recipient of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Juco Outstanding Wrestler Award at the national meet and received a plaque.

"Renfro knew I was going to get it before I did," Elliott said.

Back to Elliott's reaction after he triumphed.

"it was a pretty emotional deal. I had to get away from everybody because I was on the verge of crying. I held back my tears and shook everybody's hand.

Then Elliott was greeted by his dad, Jonathan Elliott, in the tunnel and the tears began to flow.

"My dad hugged me and he started crying and so I started crying," Tim Elliott said. "Any success that I have ever had with anything or school or staying out of trouble is because of my dad.

"If it weren't for my dad, I'd probably be in jail or not even alive. My dad's the reason why I'm a national champion today."


NJCAA National Wrestling

Tournament

Friday-Saturday

At Rochester, Minn.

UCR Regional

Sports Center


Team Standings

(Top10)

1. Iowa Central, 154.5; 2. Labette, 105.5; 3. Northern Idaho, 86.5; 4. Gloucester, 77.5; 5. William Rainey Harper, 73.5; 6. Nortwest Wyoming, 67.5; 7. Clackamas, 66.5; 8. Nassau, 59.0; 9. Southwestern Oregon, 58.0; 10. Western Wyoming, 51.5. Others: 20. Colby, 24.0.


LABETTE INDIVIDUAL

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

(During the Joe Renfro era)

2007 - Tim Elliott (125)

2005 - Earl Jones (133)

2004 - Earl Jones (125)

2004 - Aaron Meister (174)


Labette All-Americans

(During Renfro era)

2007 - Seven

2006 - Six

2005 - Six

2004 - Four

2003 - Two



02/26/2007; 1:39:56 PM