“Driving as an 8-Year Old”: Penn State’s National Champion Jason Nolf Details the Bizarre Start of His Wrestling Journey

“Training in remote Pennsylvania wasn’t easy, but the support from my father and coaches kept me going,” shares Jason Nolf, the national champion wrestler from Penn State. This quote sums up Nolf’s wrestling journey, showing the difficulties he overcame and how strong support helped him succeed. Nolf was already known in college wrestling, but winning silver in the Olympic Trials brought him major attention. However, Nolf’s journey to success was not without its challenges. 

Despite the odds, Nolf’s determination and the unwavering support of his father Michael, and coaches made him forward. At just 8 years old, he traveled long distances for training, showing his dedication to wrestling. Recently, 3-time NCAA National Champion Wrestler opened up about his experiences, shedding light on the struggles, sacrifices, and invaluable support system that has shaped his wrestling career. 

Jason Nolf opens up about childhood hardships 

In a recent podcast on his YouTube channel with Bo Nickal, wrestler Jason Nolf discussed how he began his journey in wrestling. It began when his father Michael Nolf, who was a small-time wrestler himself encouraged Jason to pursue the sport. Jason told Nickal, “I just had a lot of energy when I was a kid so my dad put me in wrestling and I think that I went to a tournament.” At the tournament, All-American Wrestling Club coach Rob Waller talked Michael into seriously investing in his son’s wrestling prospects. “I think he convinced my dad to start bringing me down but I had to drive an hour and a half each way and as an 8-year-old you know driving an hour and a half is kind of tough.”However, Jason persisted despite not being old enough and his dad being in the passenger seat drinking a beer.

His dedicated attitude persisted to high school where Nolf shined through. Reportedly he spent all his time in the wrestling room at Kittanning High School. He started his training at 6 am and spent all his time on the mat during study halls. Sometimes he was the only wrestler who would show up for preseason sessions. Putting every extra hour into learning the craft. That’s why he has emphasized having access to good training in all parts of the country. 

For a young Jason Nolf, driving for long periods, wrestling, and driving back time and again was a difficult feat. So he is particularly vocal about the existence of good wrestling clubs in the vicinity of every aspirant wrestler.

He said, “I think having access to good technique at the touch of your fingertips is such an advantage and you don’t necessarily have to be driving an hour and a half each way to practice in order to get better.” In fact, Nolf himself has spent time at one of Waller’s camps during summer. Helping instruct youth wrestlers on the basics of the game. Though he acknowledged the presence of many good facilities, “Yeah I feel like there are a lot of good clubs and good coaches out there,” but relative to the size of the USA, the number falls short. Despite his challenges, he now mentors young wrestlers, easing their journey to success.

NCAA National Champion Wrestler set to make his professional debut 

As part of Penn State University, Nolf had a great collegiate wrestling career. Jason Nolf 4x NCAA All-American champion and 3x NCAA Division I National Champion. He won titles in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Nolf also amassed a 176-1 record during his high school wrestling career and a 129-4 record in college. Both are very impressive feats. Recently at the US Olympic Team trials, for the under 74 kg category, he won a silver medal. Thus he has continued to mark the wrestling world with his persistent excellence. 

The Nittany Lions member who trained under Cael Sanderson is set to make his professional debut on 9th June, this year. It will be a match against Andrew Simmons. Who is a B-team, Jiu-Jitsu blue belt? Simmons is also a 2x NAIA All-American and NCAA Division II coach. Simmons relies on his BJJ experience and recent ADCC trials, while Nolf concentrates on preparing for the match. Nolf trained Jiu-Jitsu with Bo Nickal and sparred with elite grapplers like Craig Jones. The live-streamed debut on FloGrappling promises an exciting showdown between two formidable opponents.