“Teyon is a perfect fit for what we want to build here at Binghamton … and that’s a national powerhouse,” head coach Matt Dernlan said at the time. “His character and integrity are second to none and his wrestling ability and accomplishments obviously speak for themselves. He and I have built a personal relationship over the last three years and we share the same vision and goal – and that’s to bring a national title to this campus.”
Ware was a three-time NCAA finalist and national champion in 2003 and 2005 for the Sooners. After concluding his collegiate career, he trained with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, where he developed a strong relationship with Dernlan and current Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson.
“Teyon is one of the most accomplished NCAA wrestlers in the past decade,” Dernlan said. “All of his experience will really help our guys grow. It will be great to have someone in the room who has accomplished the same things our guys aspire to.”
Ware, who wrestled at 141 pounds at Oklahoma, captured the 66 kg title at the 2011 US World Freestyle Team Trials and advanced to the World Championships in Turkey last September. He came up just short in his bid to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
He coached with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club and also served as a volunteer assistant at Lock Haven University for two years (2009-11).
At Oklahoma, Ware compiled a 107-13 record in four years, adding a
Big XII conference title to his NCAA crowns. As a freshman, he was named
the Big XII Outstanding Wrestler after winning a title and then
captured his first national championship with a dramatic 6-4 sudden
victory decision at 141. He finished his freshman season on a 20-match
win streak and went 32-4 overall.As a sophomore, he competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic, stretched his win streak to 35 and ultimately finished third at the Big XII meet and sixth at NCAAs.
As a junior Ware went 33-3 and was conference runnerup before posting a 3-2 decision over No. 1 Nate Galick of Iowa State to capture his second NCAA championship.
As a senior he was Big XII and NCAA runnerup, was selected as a member of the Big XII 10th Anniversary Team and capped his career as a three-time NCAA finalist and four-time All-American.
He graduated with a degree in mass communications in 2007.
Ware was also an elite scholastic athlete, racking up a perfect 132-0 record with four Oklahoma state titles on the wrestling mat and also earning second team all-state accolades in football for Edmond North High.
