MASON CITY – Four-time state champion Jake Marlin signed a national letter of intent to wrestle at NIACC in the 2014-15 season.
Marlin redshirted as a member of the University of Iowa wrestling team in the 2013-14 season.
“We’re excited about it,” NIACC coach Steve Kelly said. “A guy like that coming into the program can help get us to the next level and gets us going in the direction we want to go.”
Marlin was 6-2 with three pins and a major decision at 141 pounds while wrestling unattached in the 2013-14 season. He placed second at the DuHawk Open and third at the Pat “Flash” Flanagan Open.
Marlin was a four-time state champion at Creston/Orient-Macksburg from 2010-13 and compiled a career record of 204-6. He set the state record with 148 career pins.
Marlin won state titles at 138 pounds as a junior and senior, 135 pounds as a sophomore and 130 pounds as a freshman.
“The kid has a lot of focus,” Kelly said, “and he knows how to win.”
Marlin is one of 23 Iowa prep wrestlers to claim four state wrestling titles. Also on that select list is NIACC assistant wrestling coach T.J. Sebolt, who claimed four titles from 2003-06 at Centerville.
Sebolt ranks third on the Iowa prep all-time win list with a record of 207-1 and Marlin ranks fourth with his mark of 204-6. Marlin ranks first with his 148 career pins and Sebolt ranks fourth with 136 career pins.
Marlin will join a NIACC team that returns two national champions in Nosomy Pozo (149 pounds) and Yoanse Mejias (157 pounds). NIACC placed 10th at that national tournament in Spokane, Wash., this past season.
NIACC opens the 2014-15 season at home with the Kaye Young Open on Nov. 1.
[poll random]
