Northwestern University Athletics
Herbert Brings Home Gold at Pan American Games
10/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Oct. 24, 2011
Follow Northwestern Wrestling on Twitter – Become a Fan on Facebook
TheMat.com Pan Am Games Special Section
GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Two-time Northwestern NCAA champion Jake Herbert took home a gold medal in the men's freestyle competition at the 2011 Pan American Games Sunday. Herbert finished a perfect 3-0 in the 84 kg/185 lbs. weight class and was one of two U.S. wrestlers to place first in their weight division.
Herbert defeated Cuba's Humberto Arencibia, 1-0, 4-3 for the gold medal. He opened up the tournament with a 3-2, 2-0 victory over Puerto Rico's Jaime Espinal and defeated Venezuela's Jose Diaz, who placed first at the 2011 Pan Am Championships, 1-0, 2-1 to secure a spot in the title match.
Four wrestlers earned medals for the USA in freestyle on Sunday, including Herbert. Tervel Dlagnev placed first in the 120/264.5 lbs. division while Obe Blanc brought home silver at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Teyon Ware won bronze at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Two more wrestlers will compete for the USA on Monday.
Herbert's gold medal at the Pan American Games adds to his already long list of wrestling accomplishments. He was a silver medalist at the 2009 World Championships and the only American to reach the finals that year. He amassed a 135-4 record at Northwestern, which included a perfect 34-0 mark during his senior year in 2009, and was the 2009 Hodge Trophy recipient.
The 2011 Northwestern wrestling season begins in less than two weeks when the Wildcats host Stanford at Marist High School on Chicago's South Side on Nov. 5. Match time is scheduled for 3 p.m. and doors will open at 1:30 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets in advance by calling 1-888-GO-PURPLE.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook! and subscribe to the NU Sports Express e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and video and to interact with NU. For more information on following specific Northwestern teams online, visit our Social Media page!
