The concept of the Triple Threat event has been a long time in the making. The brainchild of USA Wrestling Hall of Fame Coach and Founder of The Strong & Courageous Wrestling Club, Norman Osteen, and James Short, Founding Member of Strong & Courageous (he was literally Athlete #1 way back in 1989.)

A North Carolina native, James attended Edneyville and North Henderson High Schools, graduating with the class of 1994. One of the school's most accomplished athletes, James was a state qualifier all four years of high school and state champion in 1994, helping to also lead North Henderson to the state title. That same year he earned the title of North Carolina High School Wrestler of the Year and was named a Junior Olympic Greco National Champion.

After graduation he briefly attended Clemson University on a wrestling scholarship. When the program was terminated he transferred to Purdue, then to Gardner Webb University. There he won a combined 54 matches over a two-season span in 1997 and 1998, twice qualifying for a berth in the NCAA Division II National Championships. He finished eighth in Fargo, N.D., to earn NCAA Division II All-America honors. Short followed with 27 more wins in 1998, qualifying again for the national championships. He helped Gardner-Webb to a No. 26 team finish nationally that season. James was inducted into the Gardner Webb Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. He was then recruited by the United States Army to compete as a member of the World Class Athlete program and participated in the US Olympic trials in 2000. His bid for the 2004 Games was cut short as he was recalled to active duty and served two tours as a member of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After leaving the Army, he returned to his adopted state of Colorado and completed his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Colorado State University Pueblo. He then went on to launch several successful businesses. He married his wife Jacqui in 2016, and together they welcomed two beautiful, spirited daughters, Rachel and Ashley.

In the spring of 2022 James became suddenly and mysteriously ill, suffering a series of strokes that were eventually attributed to CNS vasculitis, an extremely rare neurological condition, more than likely related to his time in military service. For two years he fought with the heart of a champion, then was called home to his Heavenly Father on April 29th of 2024.

James left a positive impact on everyone he met, from competitors on football field and wrestling mat, to his clients, his friends, family, and caregivers. The Short Family remains overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support from the wrestling community and are honored that his legacy will live on through the Strong & Courageous Foundation and through this event that bears his name.

Thank you for helping to bring James' vision to life.