Jake began his wrestling career with North Allegheny Youth Wrestling Program in the 3rd Grade. He wrestled for North Allegheny program through high school and became a 4-Time Section Champion, 4-Time Regional Finalist, and 4-Time State Place Winner for the school. Jake finished high school with an impressive 138-18 record and capped off his career by winning a Pennsylvania State Championship, participating in the Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic, and being ranked #1 in the nation at 171 lbs.
After high school, Jake decided to attend Northwestern University where he graduated with a 3.2 GPA and earned a degree in Communication with a Business minor. Jake finished his college career as Northwestern’s leader in winning percentage (.973) and second in career wins with a 149-4 career record. In addition, his four-year varsity winning percentage of .971 (135-4) ranks fifth among all collegiate wrestlers since the 1974-75 season, the highest winning percentage in Northwestern University history and top ten in NCAA history. He is a 3-time Midlands Champion, 4-time Big Ten Finalist (3-time Champion) and 3-time NCAA Finalist (2-time Champion). As a college Senior, after his second NCAA title and undefeated season, Jake was voted as the 13th recipient of the Hodge Trophy, wrestlings equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. He was also voted 2009 Big Ten Wrestler of the Year, 2009 Rev Wrestler of the Year, and in 2007 Outstanding Wrestler at the Midlands Tournament and NWCA National Duals.
In addition to being one of the most successful athletes in Northwestern history, Jake is a member of Delta Tau Delta, was named the Northwestern N-Club Male Athlete of the Year, 4-Times named to the All-Academic Big Ten Team, and is a 3-Time Academic All-American.
Jake began taking Freestyle wrestling seriously in high school as a member of the Angry Fish Wrestling Club. As an athlete for the club, Jake became a 4-time Junior National All-American and gained national recognition as one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the country. He continues to improve in this style and won a University Nationals Championship in 2006, which he followed up by taking 3rd Place at the University World Games. In 2007 He took 5th Place at the World Team Trials, 2nd at the Sunkist International and 1st at the Hargobind International. He won the University National Championships again in 2008 and was voted Outstanding Wrestler and represented the USA in the 2008 University World Championships where he captured a bronze medal.
After his success at the college level, Jake made a quick transition back to freestyle and captured the U.S. Senior National title at the 2009 U.S. Open and was voted the tournaments Outstanding Wrestler. This makes him the number 1 ranked 84 kg wrestler in the United States and places him in the finals of the 2009 World Team trails where he has his sites set on making his first world team in 2009.