Completed Event: Men's Wrestling versus Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on January 18, 2026 , , One Champ
Final
Men's Wrestling
Harold Nichols Cyclone Open
One Champ
Iowa State University Athletics
Varner Captures Gold at Pan American Games
10.26.2011 | Men's Wrestling
GUADALAJARA, Mexico - Jake Varner has made his name on the international scene, securing a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships earlier this season and now being crowned champion at the 2011 Pan American Games at 96 kg (211.5 lbs).
The two-time NCAA champion won his Pan-Am gold medal match over Luis Vivenes of Venezuela by a score of 6-0, 2-0. Varner earned a first-period technical fall and controlled the action to close out the match in the second period.
"I went out and did what I had to do to win," Varner said. "You can always wrestle better. You can critique yourself pretty hard, but I did what I had to do."
The four-time All-American did not allow a single point in his three matches, outscoring his opponents 24-0. Varner won his first match against Israel Silva of Mexico, 2-0, 5-0. In the semifinals he defeated Khetag Pliev of Canada, 3-0, 6-0.
"When people can't score, you are in control of the match," Varner said. "Sometimes people do score on you, fortunately for me in this tournament, I wrestled my match and stuck to my game plan."
"You just can't score on Jake, his defense is too good," said Head Freestyle Coach Zeke Jones. "He has perhaps the best stance in the world. You can't score on a guy that you can't get out of position."
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