2001-02 College News - SJU Wrestling Coach Achieves 250th Career Victory

January 28, 2002

SJU Wrestling Coach Achieves 250th Career Victory

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. -- On Saturday, Jan. 26, Saint John's University head wrestling coach John Elton attained his 250th career dual meet victory as the Johnnies defeated Carleton 57-0 at the MIAC Dual Meet Tournament in Moorhead. SJU is currently 9-6 in dual meets this season. Elton, in his 21st season as head coach, has compiled a 250-84-5 career record.

Graduating with honors in 1980 from SJU, Elton started his competitive wrestling career at Bloomington Lincoln High School. In 1976, Elton placed second at 145-pounds in the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament. As a collegiate wrestler, Elton was a four-year standout for the Johnnies and captured a National Catholic Championship during his senior season. Elton also qualified for the NCAA tournament at 150-pounds in 1979 and 1980 and the NAIA tournament in 1977 and 1978.

In 1981-82, SJU was 4-5-1 record during Elton's first year as head coach. Since that season, SJU has never dropped below .500 and has won 10 or more dual meets 17 times. In 1992-93 and 1994-95, SJU teams claimed a school record 16 dual meet wins. Last season, SJU finished with a 12-4 record and finished 18th at the NCAA Div. III wrestling championships, with one athlete winning the national title and three earning Scholar All-America honors. Elton has been named MIAC coach-of-the-year four times in his career.

At the national level, SJU has qualified athletes to the NCAA Div. III tournament in 13 of the past 14 seasons - including 17 NCAA All-Americans, 24 Scholar All-Americans and two NCAA individual national champions.