Jason Welch
{{short description|American amateur wrestler (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox amateur wrestler
| name = Jason Welch
| image = Jasonwdrew (cropped).jpg
| weight = 157 lbs
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|11|02}}
| birth_place = Walnut Creek, California, U.S.
| high school = Las Lomas (CA)
| state championships = 3 (California)
| college = Northwestern University
| status = Graduated
}}
{{MedalTableTop|name=|image=|imagesize=|alt=|caption=}}
{{MedalSport | Collegiate Wrestling}}
{{MedalCountry | }} Northwestern Wildcats
{{MedalCompetition|NCAA Division I Championships}}
{{MedalSilver|2013 Des Moines|157 lb}}
{{MedalCompetition|Big Ten Championships}}
{{MedalSilver|2009 State College|157 lb}}
{{MedalBronze|2011 Evanston|157 lb}}
{{MedalSilver|2012 Columbus|157 lb}}
{{MedalGold|2013 Champaign|157 lb}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Jason Michael Welch (born November 2, 1989) is an American former wrestler. As a high school wrestler at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, California, Welch was the 13th wrestler ever to win 3 California state championships.{{cite web|url=http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/welch_jason00.html |title=Player Bio: Jason Welch – Northwestern |accessdate=2012-03-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192832/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/welch_jason00.html |archivedate=2012-04-20 }} In 2008, Welch graduated and signed with Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Welch was a four-time national qualifier and a three-time NCAA All-American.{{cite web|url=http://d1collegewrestling.net/Results09_JWelch.html |title=Division 1 College Rankings, Lineups, Schedules, Recruiting, and Results – Jason Welch (Northwestern) |accessdate=2012-03-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315123014/http://d1collegewrestling.net/Results09_JWelch.html |archivedate=2012-03-15 }}
Wrestling career
= High school =
File:Jasonwdrew.jpg head coach Drew Pariano during match in 2012]]
Jason Welch attended Las Lomas High School from 2004 to 2008. While at Las Lomas, he lettered in varsity soccer, football, and wrestling.{{cite web |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/ESY88A--4UiKrUgjJvyUYw/nations-top-wrestler-has-plenty-on-plate.htm |title=Nation's Top Wrestler Has Plenty on Plate |accessdate=2012-03-01}} On his way to winning 3 state championships, Welch recorded 119 consecutive victories and ended his high school career with a 194-7 win-loss record.{{cite web |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/ESY88A--4UiKrUgjJvyUYw/nations-top-wrestler-has-plenty-on-plate.htm |title=Nation's Top Wrestler Has Plenty on Plate |accessdate=2012-03-01}} He was named the Junior Hodge Trophy winner for 2008.{{Cite web |title=Junior Hodge Trophy Winners |url=https://www.win-magazine.com/win-awards/junior-hodge-trophy/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=WIN Magazine}} According to Intermatwrestle.com, Welch was the top ranked high school wrestler when he signed to Northwestern University.{{cite web |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/ESY88A--4UiKrUgjJvyUYw/nations-top-wrestler-has-plenty-on-plate.htm |title=Nation's Top Wrestler Has Plenty on Plate |accessdate=2012-03-01}}
= College =
Entering Northwestern in 2008, Welch started for the Northwestern Wildcats as a true freshman.{{cite web|url=http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/welch_jason00.html |title=Player Bio: Jason Welch – Northwestern |accessdate=2012-03-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192832/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/welch_jason00.html |archivedate=2012-04-20 }} As a true freshman, he qualified for the NCAA Wrestling National Championship Tournament. As a redshirt sophomore Welch qualified for the NCAA tournament again and placed 6th after losing to Bubba Jenkins of Arizona State in the semi-finals to earn All-American honors.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesundevils.com/sports/m-wrestl/recaps/031811aab.html |title=Three Wrestlers Become All-Americans as Robles, Jenkins Reach Final |accessdate=2012-03-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523194446/http://www.thesundevils.com/sports/m-wrestl/recaps/031811aab.html |archivedate=2012-05-23 }} In 2011, during Welch's red shirt junior season, he was invited to wrestle at the 46th NWCA All-Star Classic where he beat Ganbayar Sanjaa of American University.{{cite web |url=http://wrestlingreport.com/2011-12_News/46th%20NWCA%20All-Star%20Classic%20Line-up%20is%20Announced.htm |title=NWCA All-Star Classic |accessdate=2012-03-01}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwcawebsite/Events/nwcaallstarclassic.aspx |title=46th NWCA All-Star Classic Line-up is Announced |accessdate=2012-03-01}} Welch placed 4th for All-American honors his red-shirt junior year. Welch won the famed 49th Midlands tournament hosted by his home school, Northwestern and led Northwestern to its highest team place at the tournament with the Wildcats placing 2nd overall behind Iowa.{{cite web |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/college-sports/ci_19650263 |title=Former Las Lomas High wrestler Jason Welch wins Midlands title for Northwestern |accessdate=2012-03-01}} In 2013, Welch won a Big Ten championship and placed 2nd at the NCAA championships, making him a 3-time NCAA All-American.
Personal life
Welch graduated as an English Major at Northwestern University. He was born in Walnut Creek, California to John and Barbara Welch. Welch coached wrestling at Loyola Academy and now coaches at San Francisco State University. In his first year at SF State, he managed to produce two NCAA qualifiers and helped the young team beat Cal Baptist for the first time in years.{{cite web|url=http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/welch_jason00.html |title=Player Bio: Jason Welch – Northwestern |accessdate=2012-03-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420192832/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/mtt/welch_jason00.html |archivedate=2012-04-20 }}