OUTLOOK: Moving up one weight class to 174 pounds, senior James Williamson is in the mix to take the starting position in Missouri's lineup.
"James' career has been on and off again because of injury," Head Coach Brian Smith said. "He's never been able to string together a perfect injury-free season. This off-season he worked hard in the weight room to develop strength. We're hoping that this is the year that James really breaks out and shows people what we know he's capable of."
2006-07: Making two starts in Missouri's lineup at 165 pounds, Williamson managed a 4-2 win over Nick Pullano of Old Dominion on Feb. 14, helping improve his career dual record to 3-1. Williamson's only dual loss came Feb. 18, to T.J. Sayers of Chattanooga, 8-1. Throughout the course of his junior season, Williamson finished as high as fourth at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Open on Dec. 3. Taking eight wins on the season, Williamson wrestled only one Big 12 opponent and suffered a 6-4 loss to Shane Seibert of Oklahoma, Nov. 19 at the Missouri Open. Williamson finished first at the Missouri Valley Open on Feb. 3, while competing at 174 pounds.
2005-06: Wrestling in four tournaments throughout his sophomore campaign, Williamson finished as high as first, also earning a second place and two third-place finishes. In his first appearance of the season, Williamson won an 11-8 decision over Chris Culp of Central Oklahoma at the Central Missouri State University (CMSU) Open, Nov. 13. 5-1 on the day, Williamson's only loss came to then-No. 2 Alex Tirapelle of Illinois, 3-1. One week later, Nov. 20, Williamson participated in the Missouri Open in the Hearnes Fieldhouse and earned his second straight third place finish. Williamson proved a tough opponent Dec. 3 at the UNI Open. Securing five wins on the day, Williamson earned his second career tournament title. On his way to the championship bout, Williamson won two matches in overtime thrillers. Williamson's final competition came at the Missouri Valley Open Feb. 4, in which he took second.
2004-05: Williamson recorded the first of two falls on the year by pinning Rob Meadors of MacMurray in 56 seconds Nov. 21. Starting at 157 pounds Jan. 2 at the Missouri Duals, Williamson earned a technical fall 18-2 over Jamie Johnson of SIU-Edwardsville, later finishing fifth at the Missouri Valley Open Jan. 29.
2003-04: The 2003-04 season provided a strong redshirt year for Williamson who wrestled at 165 pounds on his way to a 15-8 record. Opening his campaign with an 8-0 major decision over Ben Barker (Missouri Valley), Williamson shutout his first opponent of the year, later closing down Denaco Watts (Missouri Valley) 6-0 for his second shutout. Williamson recorded a perfect 3-0 record at the Roger Denker Open on Jan. 10 and finished first in his weight class. Wrestling at the Missouri Valley Open on Jan. 31, Williamson was 5-1 and finished the day in third place.
HIGH SCHOOL: Helping his Blue Springs South Jaguars to a state championship in 2003, Williamson claimed individual titles in the 145 pound weight class both his junior and senior year (2002 and 2003). As a sophomore in 2001, Williamson finished fifth in the state under the direction of Head Coach Kendal Kock. Williamson earned honorable mention honors at the 2002 and 2003 Junior National Wrestling Championships. In addition, Williamson earned Most Valuable Wrestler honors consecutive years (2002 and 2003). A member of the cross country team, Williamson earned four letters in high school.
PERSONAL: James is younger brother to sister Erin (27) and brother Joe (24). The son of Jack Williamson and Beth Elswick, James was born Aug. 1, 1984, in Springfield, Mo. Williamson is an interdisciplinary studies major.
