Clinch Gear at the U.S. Olympic Trials

Clinch Gear is proud to announce athlete Jake Varner has qualified for the 2012 London Olympics. Varner, a two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State University and returning world medalist, will represent the U.S. wrestling team in 96 kg freestyle. Varner won the best-of-three championship match against four time All American and two time NCAA champion Tommy Rowlands at the U.S. Olympics trials this past weekend in Iowa City. Varner used last-second takedowns to win the second and third periods of the first match and won a 2-0, 1-0 decision for the win.

Several Clinch Gear athletes competed at the Olympic Trials and had excellent showings. Nick Simmons, the returning World Team Member and #1 seed in the tournament, won his first two matches including a win over the defending Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo before losing in the finals to the eventual champion Sam Hazewinkel in the men’s freestyle 55kg division. Simmons finished in 2nd place. Also competing were Clinch Gear athletes Joe Warren, Teyon Ware, Dennis Hall, Chase Pami (4th place finish), Ben Kjar (4th place finish) and Andrew Hochstrasser (4th place finish). Clinch Gear is proud to sponsor such a dedicated team of athletes.