Click here to subscribe today or Login.
KINGSTON – It’s been a busy month for Jason Nolf.
After graduating from Penn State on May 5, the three-time national champion wrestler participated in the World Team Trials in Raleigh, N.C., on May 19. From there, he went to Utah to hold a clinic in Utah Valley and to spend time with his wife, Maddie, who plays for the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League.
All that while being involved in strict workout routines for the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club in State College.
Still, he had time to break away from his crazy schedule to make a stop at the Wyoming Valley West Middle School to hold a clinic for more than 70 area wrestlers.
“Just looking to help the youth and give a little bit back to the sport,” said Nolf. “It’s always exciting to come back and teach a little bit maybe have an impact on some of these kids’ lives and maybe if they don’t learn any wrestling moves, maybe they can learn to be a better person or a hard worker or anything like that.”
Teaching skills and moves was one of the goals of the event, but it’s also about having the youngsters learn about having fun. One of the fun aspects of Sunday’s clinic was a handstand contest where Lake-Lehman’s Jake Trumbower was the last one standing just beating out Nolf.
“I try to teach fun moves just so the kids can enjoy wrestling a little bit more,” Nolf said. “Sometimes it’s hard to have fun your whole career in wrestling. So moments like this where they can see someone who’s already been there and done that, I think it’s exciting for them.”
Nolf, one of just five three-time national champions in Penn State history after winning four Pennsylvania state championships for Kittaning, spent nearly four hours teaching boys and girls from ages 4 to 17 – many dressed in Penn State or Jason Nolf gear – several moves. Some of the instruction included moves like headlocks, double-leg takedowns and shot defense. The event ended with a question-and-answer session.
Some of these may be some of the easiest moves to learn, but it’s not about learning every move, said Crestwood coach Darren Testa, who was at the event with eight of his pupils.
“You want the excitement. It’s offseason wrestling. Often, it’s hard to get kids in the room. So you bring in a three-time national champion to the area, the kids are excited. Our kids couldn’t wait to come down this morning. Anytime you get kids thinking like that in the offseason is fantastic,” Testa said. “It’s not like you’re gonna pick up 30 new things. It’s one or two things that are going to make you better. And they’re learning from one of the best today.”
In the past, Valley West coach Ryan Vassello has had Penn State wrestling notables at the school for clinics. This past October, coach Cael Sanderson was at the middle school. Three years ago, Zain Retherford was on hand.
Trying to keep that in mind, Vassello got the ball rolling on having Nolf at the school through networking.
“Since I’ve taken over it’s been a goal of mine to get Penn State guys in and out of here every year,” Vassello said. “I thought it would be nice to get another PA native. So I reached out, started doing some networking to him and he was all about the idea.”
During his time with the Nittany Lions, Nolf was a four-time national finalist, set the school record for career falls with 60 and amassed 117 career victories. He was part of four team national championships. The team has won eight of the last nine national titles and has crowned 23 individual gold medal winners since 2011.
“I think we’re so good because our coaches are great leaders, and that’s what it comes down to,” Nolf added. “They lead by example. They do all the right things, and they keep things fun for us. So it allows us to enjoy the sport and have fun doing so. I think we have something special there. It’s a brotherhood, and we’ll all do anything for each other.”
