Varner Is An Olympian

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Former Iowa State wrestler Jake Varner is headed for London. The two-time Cyclone NCAA champion beat fellow freestyle wrestler Tommy Rowlands of the Sunkist Kids and Ohio RTC, 0-1, 2-0, 1-0 and 2-0, 1-0 at 211.5 pounds over the weekend to earn a spot in this summer's Olympic Games.

Varner, a former four-time NCAA finalist at Iowa State will carry high expectations to London.

"It's not going to stop here," Varner said. "It's not about being an Olympian, it's about going out and achieving your goals and being an Olympic champion."

Former Iowa State NCAA champion Dave Zabriskie fell in the quarterfinals to Rowlands, 3-1, 4-0.

Former Iowa State All-American and current assistant coach Travis Paulson lost to Jake Herbert at 185 pounds for the right to represent the U.S. at the Olympic Games. Travis' brother and former Iowa State All-American Trent Paulson had his Olympic hopes end with a 163-pound freestyle loss to Andrew Howe.

Former Iowa State NCAA champion Jon Reader went 2-2 in the Olympic Trials Tournament in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.