Send Jake Wilson to Wrestling Nationals
Champions are not made they are built with time, effort, and hard work!
Jake Wilson secured himself into the Kansas 4A State Championship match at 138lbs. Jake won three well earned and hard fought matches in Salina today to secure this position. With his appearance in the state finals he has also secured himself a spot in the 25th Annual NHSCA National High School Wrestling Championships in Virginia Beach this post season. This highly elite tournament is only open to State Champions and State Runner-ups so truly the best of the best.
According to Penn State University Head Coach Cael Sanderson, "Wrestlers compete as individuals yet the sport builds comradery like no other." I am too a believer of this as many of you former wrestlers and fans are as well! 
Now is the time to help a talented young man chase his dream of competing in a National level wrestling event. I myself was able to compete at this event in 1996 in Pittsburgh and know first hand the talent that is there and the college coaches that will be there looking for their next big recruit. Jake Wilson is a senior at Rose Hill High School and has been a member of our wrestling community since he was a toddler. While in our youth program Coach Mike Sackett and others have groomed and developed him from a young age. Here is a snap shot of his many accomplishments while wrestling with the Rose Hill Wrestling Club.
- 11x State Qualifier (is believe to be the youngest state qualifier in club history)
- 4x State Placer (6th, 5th, 3rd, and State Championship last season)
As Jake moved on into middle school he only lost 1 match. Moving into the high school ranks he didn't miss a beat as he qualified for the state tournament in each of his four seasons under Coach Anderson and Coach Ponce. Listed below are the highlights that define him as one of the best to wear the Rockets singlet.
- Career Record: 120-25
- 4x State Qualifier
- 4x Region Finalist (3x Champion)
- 3x State Placer (4th, 3rd, and State Runner-up)
- 1x Kansas FS/GR National Team Member
Jake is an outstanding representative of what hard work, dedication, and being a true student in the sport of wrestling. As Coach Anderson has told me, "he is the kind of kid who asks to borrow the keys and get into the wrestling room". Coach Ponce stated, "He is extremely dedicated and always finds a way into the wrestling to include the summers:he just loves the sport."
Our club is extremely proud of his accomplishments, his mentorship, and being a role model to our young wrestlers. Such a great young man! He proved last weekend dreams do come true if you are willing to work towards them.
Now is the time I ask you to help raise money for this young man and his mother Cindy to attend the prestigious tournament. Our goal is to raise $1500 to help cover the cost of flights, rental car, and food. Any proceeds remaining will not be lost yet used towards a great cause of helping our youth wrestling club get much needed singlets for next season. Currently we have about 4 versions of singlets our little grapplers are wearing.
This is our opportunity as fans, former wrestlers, those that believe in a young man chasing a dream, friends, and family to help get this young man on his way to becoming an All American in the sport he loves so dearly.
I will leave you with this as Coach Sackett stated he tells kids, "I don't want them to settle for something easy in life as sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone to achieve goals that may seem out of reach.
Folks I truly believe Jake Wilson has these abilities and has been honing them since he first laced up his wrestling shoes as a toddler.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and support to Jake and our youth program!
V/r,
James Bilby
Rose Hill Wrestling Club
