Randall raising Boise State to new level

PHILADELPHIA - Greg Randall was dealing with some mixed emotions on the final day of the college wrestling season.

The Boise State head coach and Mount Vernon native had aspirations of a team trophy for his Broncos team but fell short. Boise State did manage to secure the best team finish in program history Saturday at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center.

It's the best showing in Randall's nine years as Broncos head coach. It still wasn't enough to totally soothe the sting of not placing higher.

“It's disappointing, because it was right there in our grasp as it could have been done,” Randall said. “At the same time, we're up there with Oklahoma State and Iowa and Minnesota. We're battling it out with those teams. It tells you where our program has come along.”

It has happened overnight, according to Randall who served as a Broncos assistant coach for 10 seasons before taking over for Mike Young.

This year, the Broncos won its fourth Pac-10 title under Randall, who has led them to three conference runner-up finishes. He has 31 conference champions, 92 NCAA qualifiers and 22 All-Americans. Boise State 133-pounder Andrew Hochstrasser reached the finals in an attempt to be the third NCAA champion for Randall.

“I'm just proud to where it was to where it is now,” said Randall, a four-time state champion from 1979-82. “I can honestly say that I built a program. To me, that's a good feeling that satisfies me but, at the same time you always want more as a coach.”

The Broncos, who completed the regular season with a 10-3-1 dual record, opened the season a part of national title discussions. They entered the tournament one of only two teams to qualify all 10 wrestlers along with Oklahoma State. Randall has seen a steady climb with his teams' performances.

“It started out with like three or four guys just getting to the tournament,” said Randall, whose team had a setback when highly ranked 174-pounder Kirk Smith who had to forfeit from the tournament after re-injuring his ankle. “Then it all of a sudden started being eight or nine. Now, it's three or four guys being potential champions.”

Randall, a four-time NCAA qualifier and three-time All-American who reached the NCAA finals in 1984 and 1986, admitted plenty of work remains.

“That's one thing that keeps me going,” Randall said. “We have to keep this program going. We have to remain in the top 10 and every once in awhile top 5. If everything comes together have a shot to win it.”