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A multi-sport standout during the mid-1990s, James Branch was one of the leading lights of a powerful Hilltopper wrestling program and also had a major impact on West Liberty’s football fortunes. The 3-time wrestling All-American earned NAIA All-America honors by finishing 8th in the nation at 150 pounds as a sophomore and followed that up with a third-place finish in the Hilltoppers’ first NCAA Division II national meet in 1996.
He finished his WLU mat career with a flourish in 1997 when he won the 150-pound NCAA Division II national championship at the NCAA Division II meet.
In addition to his exploits on the mat, Branch also was a hard-hitting defensive back on the West Liberty football team. He led the team in interceptions as a senior in 1996 and was a 2-time All-WVIAC selection. Branch continued his football career after graduation, competing for the semipro Huntington (W.Va.) Hawks and also playing indoor football for the Huntington Locomotives and Huntington Heroes.
A resident of Huntington, W.Va., Branch coached at Huntington High School and South Point (Ohio) High Schools after graduating from West Liberty.
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