4A Senior Wrestler of the Year - 2004

JAKE KRIEGBAUM
Abilene High School

Winning four titles was the ultimate accomplishment for Abilene’s Jake Kriegbaum. His senior record of 33-1 helped him total a four-year record of 127-3.

Kriegbaum was named to the Salina Journal’s All-Area wrestling team and was a North Central Kansas League champion for four years. His teammates selected him Most Valuable Freshman in 2001, Hardest Working Wrestler in 2002, and Outstanding Wrestler in 2002, 2003, and 2004.

In addition to being named the 4A Senior Wrestler of the Year, he was also selected as the Kansas Wrestler of the Year (all classes) and as the Kansas nominee for the NWCA Wrestler of the Year.

Kriegbaum was a member of Team Kansas, competing at the folkstyle Senior Nationals and also the freestyle/Greco-roman national championships in Fargo, North Dakota. He earned three All-American honors, placing 5th in cadet Greco, 7th in cadet freestyle, and 6th in junior Greco.

Before entering high school, Kriegbaum was a six-time Kansas Kids state champion from 1996-2001.

He graduated cum laude from Abilene High School and was a member of Delta Epsilon Phi, German Honor Society. He was a an academic honor roll and letter winner with his 3.47 GPA. He was named to the KWCA All-Academic team and was the Kansas selection for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award.

Kriegbaum is currently attending the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and is wrestling for the USAFA Falcons while majoring in Engineering.