NCAA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Jake Varner is in his fifth season as an assistant coach at Penn State.
Varner moved to State College after an outstanding career at Iowa State University. The Cyclone ended his collegiate career as the best in the country, winning the 197-pound title in 2010. Varner posted a 31-0 record as a senior and was 121-10 over the course of his career. The NCAA title he won as a senior was his second, having won his first as a junior in 2009. Varner was the 184-pound NCAA finalist as a sophomore and freshman. One of Iowa State’s all-time greats, Varner was a four-time All-American, four-time NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA Champion.
As a freestyle wrestler, Varner reached the sport’s pinnacle by claiming the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal at 96kg in London. His performance in the Olympics capped off a stellar 2012 that also saw him win the Pan American Games Gold and the Yarygan Bronze. He also claimed a World Bronze in 2011 in Istanbul.
Varner was a two-time California High School champion during his prep days, amassing a 159-10 career record with 132 falls. Varner graduated from Iowa State with a degree in criminal justice.
He and his wife, Brittany, have five children; four daughters and a son: Kylynn, Brynlee, Brael and twins Blakeley (girl) and Jaxton (boy).
THE VARNER FILE
Birthday: March 24, 1986
Birthplace: Bakersfield, Calif.
Hometown:? Bakersfield, Calif.
Alma Mater:? Iowa State ‘10
Spouse: Brittany
Children: Kylynn, Brynlee, Brael
and twins Blakeley (girl) and Jaxton (boy).
COACHING EXPERIENCE
* 2016-Pres.: Assistant Coach, Penn State
Varner moved to State College after an outstanding career at Iowa State University. The Cyclone ended his collegiate career as the best in the country, winning the 197-pound title in 2010. Varner posted a 31-0 record as a senior and was 121-10 over the course of his career. The NCAA title he won as a senior was his second, having won his first as a junior in 2009. Varner was the 184-pound NCAA finalist as a sophomore and freshman. One of Iowa State’s all-time greats, Varner was a four-time All-American, four-time NCAA finalist and two-time NCAA Champion.
As a freestyle wrestler, Varner reached the sport’s pinnacle by claiming the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal at 96kg in London. His performance in the Olympics capped off a stellar 2012 that also saw him win the Pan American Games Gold and the Yarygan Bronze. He also claimed a World Bronze in 2011 in Istanbul.
Varner was a two-time California High School champion during his prep days, amassing a 159-10 career record with 132 falls. Varner graduated from Iowa State with a degree in criminal justice.
He and his wife, Brittany, have five children; four daughters and a son: Kylynn, Brynlee, Brael and twins Blakeley (girl) and Jaxton (boy).
THE VARNER FILE
Birthday: March 24, 1986
Birthplace: Bakersfield, Calif.
Hometown:? Bakersfield, Calif.
Alma Mater:? Iowa State ‘10
Spouse: Brittany
Children: Kylynn, Brynlee, Brael
and twins Blakeley (girl) and Jaxton (boy).
COACHING EXPERIENCE
* 2016-Pres.: Assistant Coach, Penn State