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Stroudsburg Wrestler Makes District, County History With State Win

STROUDSBURG — A Stroudsburg High School wrestler was celebrated Thursday night for a historic win earlier this month. Senior Jake Jakobsen claimed the sta...
MON WRESTLER

STROUDSBURG -- A Stroudsburg High School wrestler was celebrated Thursday night for a historic win earlier this month.

Senior Jake Jakobsen claimed the state title in Hershey on March 12, becoming the first-ever state wrestling champion in both Stroudsburg and Monroe County.

Family, friends, and fans gathered at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg to celebrate the wrestler's triumphs.

“Look at the crowd, take it all in, and it just felt great,” said Jakobsen. “It felt like I was supposed to be there and I was meant to be there.”

“We couldn`t be prouder. Just to be the first state champion in the school and Monroe County. It's just history,” said principal Jeff Sodl.

That's why the mayor of Stroudsburg decided to throw Jakobsen a party fit for a hero.

“Instead of having a pep rally where only the Stroudsburg High School students could go, I wanted to have it in town so that all of Monroe County can celebrate him,” said Mayor Tarah Probst.

Jake even received a state citation, presented to him by Republican State Representative Rosemary Brown.

“He had a plan, and the coaches had a plan, and he stuck with it and it turned out in our benefit,” said John Jakobsen, Jake’s father.

“It shows how much effort a kid put into a sport, and when you put in that effort, good things are going to happen,” said Matthew Kleinle, Jakobsen's wrestling coach.

Even with all the fanfare, friends say Jakobsen remains grounded in his roots.

“He's a class act, great student, great role model for the younger wrestlers,” said Sodl.

“Even though he's won a state medal, he's not forgotten where he came from. He came up through the elementary wrestling program, through the junior high program, and he continues to give back to them,” said Tim Honeywell, the athletic director.

“I couldn't have done it without all these people here. All the family, teammates, friends, everybody, so just having this big day for me. It's just special because all the hard work paid off,” said Jakobsen.

Jake's hard work will continue to pay off come this fall when he heads off to Lehigh University on a full wrestling scholarship.

 

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