Jake Long NCAA All-American Wrestler

It’s always a great time when you get the chance to visit with one of your former students/athletes, it’s exciting to see how their lives change as they broaden their horizons.  This past weekend I got a chance to catch up with one of our former West Central Area standout athletes and Hoffman native... Jake Long. Jake just finished up his junior year at Concordia College in Moorhead and continues working on his Business Management degree.  Throughout the past three years Jake has experienced many changes, but one thing that hasn’t changed is his ability to perform well on the wrestling mat.  In March Long took 5th in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.  Jake has always had the goal of becoming an All-American.  That goal finally became reality. 

I found this quote from the wrestling website for Concordia College referencing to the first day of the national tournament- “Long provided the biggest highlight of the opening day as he upset No.2-seeded Michael Polizzi from Stevens Institute of Technology in the consolation quarterfinals. He hung with Polizzi until the final half of the third period and then pulled away to earn an 8-5 decision. Long will now face No.4-seeded Emanual Ajagbe of Delaware Valley in the consolation semifinals.  Long, who was seeded eighth heading into the national meet, won his opening match over Jorge Lopez of Williams College by a pin fall at 2:07. He then lost to No. 1-ranked Kodie Silvestri 7-0 in the championship quarterfinals.” 

Jake was selected as the 2012-2013 Outstanding Wrestler for the Concordia college wrestling team and will also represent the team as a Captain for the 2013-2014 wrestling season. I asked Jake what his new goal will be now that he had made All-American and of course he replied with......“National Champion!”  I knew his answer before I even asked it.  I wouldn’t have expected anything less.  Like I said earlier it’s always great to hear from former student/athletes, especially when goals are being met and new goals are being set.  Jake has one year of eligibility left to achieve his wrestling goal of becoming a national champion as he will begin his senior year and will finish his Business Management degree.