Hampton wrestling team's Hart hunts national exposure
Jake Hart broke a Hampton High School record by recording 40 victories during the 2011-12 wrestling season.
With one record under his belt, Hart's next goals are to become Hampton's all-time leader in career victories, and most importantly become the Talbots second PIAA champion.
But before that can happen, Hart will make his second trip to Fargo, N.D., for the USA Wrestling National Championships.
"I went to Fargo after my freshman year, but didn't go back last summer because I was playing football," said Hart, who recently completed his junior year at Hampton. "I decided not to play football this year because I wanted to concentrate on wrestling. I didn't want to take a chance on getting injured during football season and hurt my chances of earning a wrestling scholarship."
Hart competed in the Cadet National Tournament during his first visit to Fargo.
"Two years ago, I was one win away from placing in freestyle and two wins short in Greco-Roman," said Hart, who was entered in the 215-pound weight class that year. "My goal this year is to place in the top four."
Hart has moved up to the Junior Division for this year's tournament and will compete in the 195-pound weight class.
Hart was also invited to wrestle on the Pennsylvania team at the USA Wrestling Junior National Duals, which took place in Oklahoma City in June.
"They needed somebody to wrestle at 220, so I sacrificed for the team," Hart said. "I went 9-7 over the four days, but most of my losses were in Greco-Roman. It was the first time I wrestled Greco in two years and I had a 2-5 record. I was 7-2 in freestyle."
Hart enjoyed his trip to Oklahoma City, but decided to concentrate on one style at Fargo.
"I'm just wrestling freestyle at Fargo," Hart said. "It's really tough to wrestle in both tournaments. To place in both styles, I would have to wrestle 15 to 20 times in five days."
Hampton coach Joe Bursick is happy to see that Hart is going back to Fargo for a second time
"Hopefully, the extra time he's putting in over the summer will pay dividends during the high school season," Bursick said.
Hart will be rooming with a familiar face at Fargo.
"Brian Estep qualified at 152 pounds and will be wrestling in Junior Nationals with me," said Hart, referring to a Hampton teammate. "This is his first time at Fargo, so I gave him a few pointers on what to expect."
Hart broke into Hampton's starting lineup as a 189-pound freshman. He placed second in Section 3-AAA, then fell one win short of earning a PIAA berth after finishing fourth in the WPIAL. He finished the season with a 26-9 record.
Hart stayed at 189 for his sophomore year and won a section title, but finished a disappointing sixth in the WPIAL tournament. He finished with a 33-7 record.
Last season was Hart's breakout, as he won a section title, then placed second in both the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments. He lost to Central Catholic's Perry Hills in both title matches and finished with a 40-4 record.
Hart enters his senior year with a 99-20 career record, which leaves him one win short of becoming Hampton's 10th Century Club member. Brian Pogel owns the school record with 132 wins. Meanwhile, Jason Robison became the Talbots only state titlist in 1993.
"I need 34 wins to break the school record," Hart said. "But more importantly, I want to become the second wrestler in Hampton history to win a PIAA title."
With one record under his belt, Hart's next goals are to become Hampton's all-time leader in career victories, and most importantly become the Talbots second PIAA champion.
But before that can happen, Hart will make his second trip to Fargo, N.D., for the USA Wrestling National Championships.
"I went to Fargo after my freshman year, but didn't go back last summer because I was playing football," said Hart, who recently completed his junior year at Hampton. "I decided not to play football this year because I wanted to concentrate on wrestling. I didn't want to take a chance on getting injured during football season and hurt my chances of earning a wrestling scholarship."
Hart competed in the Cadet National Tournament during his first visit to Fargo.
"Two years ago, I was one win away from placing in freestyle and two wins short in Greco-Roman," said Hart, who was entered in the 215-pound weight class that year. "My goal this year is to place in the top four."
Hart has moved up to the Junior Division for this year's tournament and will compete in the 195-pound weight class.
Hart was also invited to wrestle on the Pennsylvania team at the USA Wrestling Junior National Duals, which took place in Oklahoma City in June.
"They needed somebody to wrestle at 220, so I sacrificed for the team," Hart said. "I went 9-7 over the four days, but most of my losses were in Greco-Roman. It was the first time I wrestled Greco in two years and I had a 2-5 record. I was 7-2 in freestyle."
Hart enjoyed his trip to Oklahoma City, but decided to concentrate on one style at Fargo.
"I'm just wrestling freestyle at Fargo," Hart said. "It's really tough to wrestle in both tournaments. To place in both styles, I would have to wrestle 15 to 20 times in five days."
Hampton coach Joe Bursick is happy to see that Hart is going back to Fargo for a second time
"Hopefully, the extra time he's putting in over the summer will pay dividends during the high school season," Bursick said.
Hart will be rooming with a familiar face at Fargo.
"Brian Estep qualified at 152 pounds and will be wrestling in Junior Nationals with me," said Hart, referring to a Hampton teammate. "This is his first time at Fargo, so I gave him a few pointers on what to expect."
Hart broke into Hampton's starting lineup as a 189-pound freshman. He placed second in Section 3-AAA, then fell one win short of earning a PIAA berth after finishing fourth in the WPIAL. He finished the season with a 26-9 record.
Hart stayed at 189 for his sophomore year and won a section title, but finished a disappointing sixth in the WPIAL tournament. He finished with a 33-7 record.
Last season was Hart's breakout, as he won a section title, then placed second in both the WPIAL and PIAA tournaments. He lost to Central Catholic's Perry Hills in both title matches and finished with a 40-4 record.
Hart enters his senior year with a 99-20 career record, which leaves him one win short of becoming Hampton's 10th Century Club member. Brian Pogel owns the school record with 132 wins. Meanwhile, Jason Robison became the Talbots only state titlist in 1993.
"I need 34 wins to break the school record," Hart said. "But more importantly, I want to become the second wrestler in Hampton history to win a PIAA title."
wrestling