Men's Wrestling | 9/30/2020 10:00:00 AM

    WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Two-time NCAA Division II All-American and 2019 national champion Connor Craig wants to wake up some echoes in his final collegiate season after joining Coach Danny Irwin's rising West Liberty program.
    "West Liberty offers me exactly what I've been looking for this past year – a home," Craig said. "I'm excited to be back with the coaching staff that helped me win a national championship but I'm even more excited about the opportunity to help this young team do some extraordinary things."
    Craig spent his first two seasons wrestling for Irwin at Wheeling University and was a key member of the Cardinals' 2019 NCAA Division II runner-up squad. A mere sophomore, Craig was the national champion at 174 pounds and finished the year with a sparkling 32-1 record.
    He competed at 184 pounds for perennial NCAA Division II power Pitt-Johnstown last season, once again earning All-America honors while posting a 26-4 mark. Half of those 26 wins came by fall or technical fall. The regional runner-up at 184, Craig was the No. 4 seed at the 2020 Nationals in South Dakota only to see the NCAA shut down all winter sports championships due to health concerns.
    Irwin was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Craig again and said the former national champion has already made a positive impact on everybody in the wrestling room.
    "Was I excited when Connor made the decision to reunite with our staff and some of his former teammates who were already here? That's putting it mildly," Irwin said with a smile. "Yes, Connor is a former national champion but he is also one of the most competitive people I've ever been around.
    "His presence here has been felt across the board since day one. Whether it's running, lifting or now that we're actually wrestling, the ante has been raised. Connor wants to win another individual title but more importantly, he wants to win a team championship and see all of his teammates succeed."
    Along with his success on the mat, Craig also competes at a high level in the classroom. The 2019 NWCA Scholar All-American said that was another factor in his decision to close out his collegiate career in Black and Gold.
    "Part of the attraction in coming to West Liberty was the opportunity to pursue my undergraduate degree (Marketing) and eventually my MBA," Craig said. "It feels like I'm improving every day here as a wrestler and a student. I can't express how exciting it is to be part of this."