Minnesota native Jake Clark recently accomplished a major milestone in
his wrestling career by winning the Greco-Roman U.S. Nationals
Championship in April. Clark is currently training for the U.S. World
Team Trials which will take place May 27-28 in Sioux City, IA and the
Pan American Championships on June 1-4 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Beyond that, Clark, who competes at 84KG/185 lbs. for the
U.S. Marine Corps, has his sights set on the 2008 Olympics.
Jake Clark’s Wrestling
Background/Accomplishments
Two-time Minnesota High School State Champion for South St. Paul
(1997-98)
15+ Age Group Freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships
12+ Regional National Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships
Cadet Greco-Roman National Champion
Junior Greco-Roman National Champion
Junior Freestyle National Runner-up
Junior FILA Greco-Roman National Champion
Two-time University Greco-Roman National Champion
University Freestyle National Runner-up
U.S. Open Greco-Roman National Champion and Outstanding Wrestler
U.S. Open Greco-Roman National Runner-up
Three-time U.S. Greco-Roman National Team Member
2004 Greco-Roman U.S. Olympic Alternate
2004 U.S. Marine Corps Athlete of the Year
Junior FILA World Team Member
Q How did you
get interested in wrestling? A When I
was five years old my brother Joe started to wrestle while we were
living in Mound [MN]. Whenever he would go to practices I would always
tag along and wrestle with the other little kids that were there. At
the age of six I won my first freestyle state championship and had
fallen in love with the sport. The best thing is that I was NEVER
pushed into wrestling. Growing up I saw so many kids that burned out at
a young age. I was always very thankful that my mother wasn’t like
that. Whatever my brother and I wanted to do, she backed us 100%. We
both even played hockey at one point in time! Luckily I retired at the
age of seven.
Q What are some
of your fondest moments in my wrestling career? A I have
so many fond memories in my wrestling career thus far. This sport has
been great to me in so many ways. I have met hundreds of great friends,
traveled the world, and accomplished so many things.
Most importantly it has been a great way for my family to stick
together and enjoy our lives with each other. Because of all the
traveling that wrestling demands, my family was able to spend quite a
bit of time together and there’s nothing more important than that! I
wouldn’t change my life for anything.
We all know that wrestling isn’t the greatest way to make a living, and
for the most part, being a wrestler can be quite difficult at times.
However, with all of the experiences I’ve had, it’s been well worth it.
I’ve been to so many places in the world that many people will never
have the chance to see. I consider myself lucky and very fortunate to
say the least. I’m not wealthy, but I know there are wealthy people out
there who haven’t seen nearly as much as I have. That alone is such a
great feeling! In the last 10 years I’ve been to Russia, Finland,
Sweden, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Poland, France,
Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Cuba, and Mexico because of wrestling. Most
of those places I’ve been to several times. Are you kidding me, what
more could I ask for? I’m not sure what my greatest memory is, but I’m
hoping to know EXACTLY what it is in 2008.
Q To
whom do you credit your success? A There
are so many people that I owe my success to. First and foremost would
be my family. My mother has done so much for my brother and I that we
will never be able to repay her. She was a single parent raising two
boys, and not once did she turn us down on going to a wrestling
tournament. She honestly could be the worst driver in the world, yet if
the tournament was in North Dakota or wherever, she’d make sure to get
us there.
Not only do I have the greatest mom in the world, I have the best
brother anyone could ask for. I always wanted to be by his side no
matter what. Not once did he shun me away. He set records, but pushed
me to break them. When I win a match, he’s more excited than I am. And
when I lose a match, it hurts him more than it does me. Our mother
taught us to watch out for one another. If one of us goes off track in
life, the other one should be there to direct the other one back in the
right direction. My brother has been there for me no matter what and I
could never ask for a better role model, coach, or brother.
Our dad was never a part of our lives, and at about the age of 10 I met
Jerry Nauer whom I consider “My Old Man”. He’s been a great father
figure and coach for my brother and I, and we couldn’t be any luckier!
He has supported us in everyway possible and has always been there to
keep us in line. Hopefully I can give to my kids as much as he has
given to me and Joey.
Outside of our family there are so many other people that have helped
me to get to the point I’m at today. Whether it was someone coaching
me, my training partners growing up, or people who were always there to
support me. I have been extremely lucky and fortunate to be surrounded
by the great people of Minnesota, and I will always be grateful for
that. My first coach, the late Tim Frederichs of Mound, was not only a
great coach, but also one of the greatest men I’ve ever had the chance
to be around. I owe a lot to the “original” crew of the Mound-Westonka
High Flyers, the coaches, and the families there during the 80’s! In
general the Minnesota Wrestling family has always been very supportive
to me and my family. Whether it was someone coaching me, my training
partners, or the great friends and supporters I’ve had, there were
always so many people willing to help in so many different ways.
Finally, I owe so much credit to the greatest coach in the history of
Minnesota, Dan “The Man” Chandler. Neither myself, nor the rest of the
state of Minnesota could ever thank him enough for the program and
wrestlers that he has built. As long as he’s around Minnesota Greco
will continue to dominate!
Q What is your
advice to today’s young wrestlers? A The
best advice I have is straight from a quote I saw years ago. “Summer
wrestlers make winter champions.” Those that compete in freestyle and
Greco-Roman during the summer will always be the ones you see standing
on the podium during the state high school tournament.
In Minnesota you have the greatest coaches in the country. Take
advantage of that! Those of you that only wrestle freestyle don’t be
afraid to get involved with Greco-Roman. It will make you a more
skilled wrestler, and give you more of an advantage against those that
do not wrestle it!
Don’t take the elevator or escalator, take the stairs! If you don’t
live too far from school, RUN THERE in the mornings. Its little things
like those which can make a big difference when you wrestle! Finally,
make sure to thank your parents and coaches as often as you can! One
day it might be too late!
Q What is your
job today and responsibilities you do daily with the U.S. Marines? A In the
Marine Corps I am currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan. My job there
is Traffic Management and Operations. Basically, I am a travel agent
for the military and sit behind a desk all day. However, don’t get
smart with me because I am an expert with my M-16 rifle up to 500 yards
away! As of now I am attached to the Marine Corps Wrestling Team for
special duty and it’s a GREAT life. I basically get paid to wrestle and
travel the world. Imagine that! I’ve been in the Corps for almost seven
years now and hold the rank of Sergeant.
Q What are some
of your hobbies? Do you still collect Russian jerseys? A I have
many hobbies, just not enough time to do them all! I honestly think I
might be one of the greatest gamers in the history of the Playstation
2. I also enjoy spending my time coaching (Team Okinawa will again be
up in Fargo), eating, sleeping, playing cribbage, and of course I’m
addicted to the whole “Myspace” craze! Look me up under my email
address and send me a friend request!: jake84kg@yahoo.com
Q What’s going
on with your family members? How’s your mom and brother doing? A
Currently I’m living between Okinawa, Japan and Stafford, Virginia. My
mother is now residing in St. Paul Park where she has recently bought
her first home!!! It is very well deserved… and overdue! She’s working
in South St. Paul and doing great.
My brother Joe is living in South St. Paul and keeps busy selling real
estate and cage fighting. If you haven’t seen him fight in any of the
local Twin City events, check him out!
Jerry Nauer is also living in South St. Paul and has recently retired
from coaching the wrestling club there. Life couldn’t be better!
