Live the Dream

The youngest member of the U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic team since 1976, has returned from the Beijing games and is ready to share his experiences. Exuding ultimate dedication, passion & character, you would never guess that this warrior is only 18.

In Mayville, North Dakota, on December 1, 1989, Jacob Deitchler was born into a tradition of diligence, work ethics, and what would later become his ultimate forte, wrestling. Jake’s father, Jason Deitchler, was an All-American on the wrestling team at Mayville State when Jake was born and he along with his wife, Racheal, literally raised their son around the team and the sport. Although Jake was highly encouraged to pursue other interests like football, camping, fishing, hiking and hunting, wrestling was clearly in his blood and at the age of 12 when most adolescents are merely dreaming of who and what they want to be when they grow up, Jacob Deitchler put one particular goal in writing: the Olympics. Six years later a now 18 year old Deitchler, has hit his mark and far surpassed it.

Jake began wrestling in the 1st grade and began competing in folk-style wrestling in the 3rd. A talented boy with a big dream, Jake made the Anoka High School Varsity team as a 7th grader. Jason began feeding his son knowledge in the form of books and tapes consisting of lessons by successful business owners Danny Snipes and Larry Winters. The richness of this information put Jake mentally ahead of his less mature competitors and in his eighth grade year, Jake experienced a breakthrough. He was not expected to make the state tournament that year, but Jake was determined and focused to accomplish what others thought was impossible. Two months before the tournament Jake put in writing that he would be at States, then he focused on it every night. Sheer diligence and a passionate focus on his goal helped push Jake into the state tournament, dominating a previously qualified senior on the way.

During his freshman year, when most of his peers were trying out in hopes of making JV cuts in their sport, Jake was busy competing in and winning two Cadet National Championships, one in Greco-Roman wrestling and the other in freestyle. In 2007, Jake competed in the World Greco-Roman team championships in Baku, Azerbizani and after some persuasion between Jake’s father and his principal, he was granted the opportunity to graduate early in April of 2008 to pursue more vigorous training with the dream of competing in the Beijing Olympics now within reach. Jake finished his high school career knowing that he had put his heart and soul into every moment. He had stayed after practice every day, arriving at school before the sun rose and after it set, winning his final 111 matches, 201 wins altogether, three consecutive state titles and had set a new school record.

Winning the Junior World trials in Colorado Springs to compete on the Junior World team itself was Jake’s next feat shortly after taking his training to a World Greco tournament in Bulgaria. Next, the Olympic trials in Las Vegas allowed Jake to produce the biggest upset of the 2008 Olympic wrestling trials when he successfully defeated wrestling favorite and 2 time World bronze medalist, 24 year old Harry Lester in the semi-finals and 32 year old Faruk Sahin in the finals; winning against overwhelming odds. Jake was on his way to Beijing.

In the Beijing games, Jake competed in the 66kg Greco-Roman catagory, proving to himself, his family, his friends and this country that he has what it takes to take the next steps toward becoming a world champion. “There is nobody to compare him to in wrestling”, states his coach, Brandon Paulson, “He has progressed faster than anybody I have ever seen.” Paulson is probably not just referring to Jake’s physical ability, he is has developed mentally and technically over his competitors. He has learned the importance of courage against all odds and the unique intelligence that courage endows you with to push through the crowd of mediocrity onto the things you were called to do.

Jake has been featured in articles from ESPN, MSNBC, ABC, USA Today, New York Times as well as the Minneapolis-St. Paul StarTribune. For more information on Jake Deitchler, visit his Website