All three participants the West Virginia wrestling team sent the NCAA Championships in Omaha, Neb., last weekend failed to qualify for Saturday's championship rounds.
West Virginia junior heavyweight Brandon Williamson had the most success of the three, pulling off two upsets but fell one win short of becoming the first all-American the Mountaineers have had at the heavyweight weight class.
Williamson, a two-time junior-college all-American, opened up the tournament by pinning seventh-seeded Jarod Trice of Central Michigan.
He then defeated 10th-seeded Dominick Russo from Rutgers in a 3-0 win.
The two upsets gave Williamson an opportunity to face all-American Jared Rosholt, the No. 2 seed from Oklahoma State.
Williamson had trouble with Rosholt throughout the match and fell short 8-2.
"I was really impressed with Brandon's efforts this season," said West Virginia head coach Craig Turnbull. "After hitting a rough patch during the season, he really turned himself around. Brandon beat some really solid wrestlers and proved he belongs with them."
The tournament was not as bright for West Virginia's Shane Young (125 pounds) and Donnie Jones (165 pounds).
Young, a freshman, opened the tournament against CS-Bakersfield's Frank Lomas.
Lomas took control of the match early and never looked back, winning 7-2.
"Shane did a great job for us this season," Turnbull said. "As a freshman it can tough sometimes, but he showed some maturity winning some matches where he was the underdog. Things didn't work out in the Championship, but he will have a few more shots at a podium spot in the future."
Jones also had trouble finding his groove. The redshirt senior opened up the tournament against seventh-seeded Ryan Morningstar from Iowa.
Jones' lead 2-1 early in the match, but Morningstar was able to record a takedown with late in the match to win 4-2.
Jones then lost 9-5 in a consoliation match to Michigan State's Kyle Bounds.
Jones, however, was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after battling through knee and shoulder problems throughout his career and will return for his sixth year in a Mountaineer uniform next season.
"Donnie had a tough season but proved a lot for us," Turnbull said. "He did a great job as a leader for us, and it's great to have him again next season."
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