Jake Varner

Jacob Stephen "Jake" Varner (born March 24, 1986) is an American wrestler. Varner won the gold medal in the 96 kg category at the 2012 Summer Olympics in freestyle wrestling.

Varner wrestled collegiately for the Iowa State University Cyclones. He was a four-time NCAA Division I finalist and two-time NCAA Division I champion (junior and senior). In high school, he was also a two-time California wrestling state champion for Bakersfield High School in Bakersfield, California, where was coached by his cousin Andy, who served as head coach, and his father Steve, who served as an assistant. His performance in 2005 earned him the Junior Schalles Award for top high school pinner.

Varner served as an assistant wrestling coach at Penn State from 2016 to 2021. In November 2021, Varner was promoted to head the Penn State Olympic Regional Training Center (RTC), also known as the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

In 2022, Varner was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.

Varner defeated Pat Downey by decision at RAF 02 on October 25, 2025.