Jason Welch

the Northwestern Wildcats

Jason Michael Welch (born November 2, 1989) is an American former wrestler and current coach. As a high school wrestler at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California, Welch was the 13th wrestler ever to win three California state championships. In 2008, Welch graduated and signed with Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Welch was a four-time national qualifier and a three-time NCAA All-American.

Wrestling career High school Welch attended Las Lomas High School from 2004 to 2008. While at Las Lomas, he lettered in varsity soccer, football, and wrestling. On his way to winning three state championships, Welch recorded 119 consecutive victories and ended his high school career with a 194-7 win-loss record. He was named the Junior Hodge Trophy winner for 2008. According to Intermatwrestle.com, Welch was the top ranked high school wrestler when he signed to Northwestern University.

College

Entering Northwestern in 2008, Welch started for the Northwestern Wildcats as a true freshman. As a true freshman, he qualified for the NCAA wrestling national tournament. As a redshirt sophomore, Welch qualified for the NCAA tournament again and placed 6th after losing to Bubba Jenkins of Arizona State in the semi-finals to earn All-American honors. In 2011, during Welch's redshirt junior season, he was invited to wrestle at the 46th NWCA All-Star Classic where he beat Ganbayar Sanjaa of American University. Welch placed 4th for All-American honors his redshirt junior year. Welch won the famed 49th Midlands tournament hosted by his home school Northwestern, and led Northwestern to its highest team place at the tournament with the Wildcats placing 2nd overall behind Iowa. In 2013, Welch won a Big Ten championship and placed 2nd at the NCAA championships, making him a 3-time NCAA All-American.

Honors In 2023, Welch was inducted into the California Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Personal life Welch was born in Walnut Creek, California to John and Barbara Welch. He graduated as an English Major at Northwestern University. Welch coached wrestling at Loyola Academy and now serves as head coach at San Francisco State University.