Wikipedia

Jake Varner

Jacob Stephen "Jake" Varner (born March 24, 1986) is an American wrestler. Varner won the gold medal in the 96 kg category at the 2012 Summer Olympics in freestyle wrestling.[1][2][3]

Jake Varner
Varner in 2012
Personal information
Full nameJacob Stephen Varner
Born (1986-03-24) March 24, 1986 (age 40)
Bakersfield, California, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight96 kg (212 lb)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)
Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamIowa State
ClubNittany Lion Wrestling Club
TeamUSA
Coached byCael Sanderson
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2012 London96 kg
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place2011 Istanbul96 kg
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place2011 Guadalajara96 kg
Golden Grand Prix Ivan Yarygin
Silver medal – second place2016 Krasnoyarsk97 kg
Men's collegiate wrestling
Representing the Iowa State Cyclones
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place2009 St. Louis197 lb
Gold medal – first place2010 Omaha197 lb
Silver medal – second place2007 Auburn Hills184 lb
Silver medal – second place2008 St. Louis184 lb

Varner wrestled collegiately for the Iowa State University Cyclones. He was a four-time NCAA Division I finalist and two-time NCAA Division I champion (junior and senior). In high school, he was also a two-time California wrestling state champion for Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California,[4][5] where was coached by his cousin Andy, who served as head coach, and his father Steve, who served as an assistant. His performance in 2005 earned him the Junior Schalles Award for top high school pinner.[6]

Varner served as an assistant wrestling coach at Penn State from 2016 to 2021.[7] In November 2021, Varner was promoted to head the Penn State Olympic Regional Training Center (RTC), also known as the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.[8]

In 2022, Varner was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.[9]

Varner defeated Pat Downey by decision at RAF 02 on October 25, 2025.[10]

He is scheduled to face Geno Petriashvili at RAF Georgia on July 11, 2026.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jake Varner". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 7, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Jacob Stephen Varner". London2012.com. London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. August 13, 2012. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012.
  3. ↑ "American Jacob Varner takes 96kg freestyle wrestling gold". BBC. August 13, 2012. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  4. ↑ Californian, The Bakersfield (September 10, 2022). "Former Driller Varner named head coach of Nittany Lions Wrestling Club". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Wrestler Jake Varner's gold medal was a family production". SI. August 12, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Junior Schalles Award". WIN Magazine. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Jake Varner - Wrestling Coach". gopsusports.com. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Jake Varner promoted to head coach of Nittany Lion Wrestling Club". November 12, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Jake Varner". National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  10. ↑ Immel, Richard (October 26, 2025). "Olympic champions Maroulis, Varner among RAF 02 winners at Penn State". USA Wrestling. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  11. ↑ Heck, Mike (June 3, 2026). "Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo set for RAF's international debut in Georgia; Arman Tsarukyan to compete". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
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