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North Allegheny's Herbert keeps his eye on Olympic wrestling prize

Written by J. Brady McCullough on .

J. Brady McCullogh interviewed North Allegheny alum Jake Herbert about his foray into Olympic wrestling:

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(Photo: Jake Herbert's winning moment in Iowa City, Iowa, last month. The ramifications are still sinking in for the graduate of North Allegheny High School. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images.)

"Four weeks ago at the U.S. wrestling Olympic trials, Jake Herbert wanted to show his emotions and let the spectators know how much it meant for him to qualify for the 2012 London Games after years of sacrifice.

But, in a somewhat tactical move, he thought better of it.

"They say when you celebrate it's because you weren't expecting to win," said Herbert, 27, a North Allegheny High alumnus. "I've never really had a big celebration because everything I've done was what I've trained to do."

Herbert may have held it together that day in Iowa City, Iowa, where he stamped his ticket to London in the 84-kilogram (185 pounds) freestyle weight class, but since then he has allowed himself to enjoy the accomplishment of his dream to varying degrees."