Varner wins bronze medal in Russian wrestling invite
| Monday, Jan 30 2012 09:31 PM
Last Updated Monday, Jan 30 2012 09:32 PM
Bakersfield's Jake Varner won a bronze medal in the 211.5-pound division Sunday at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Varner was one of two United States freestyle wrestlers to earn a medal, joining Tervel Dlagnev, who won silver at 264.5.
Varner, a Bakersfield High product and two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State, fell to Russia's Ibrahim Saidov in the semifinals. Vaner bounced back to win his last match and earn a bronze medal.
"Jake was in a monster weight class. There's no question this tournament at (211.5 pounds) is tougher than the Olympics will be in August," U.S. freestyle coach Zeke Jones said in a press release. "Right now, Jake's freestyle is at the highest level, and he is mastering the techniques and tactics that you need to win at this level.
"He really just needed to be stingier in the semis. I do like where he's at in his training and competition cycle. He's only going to get better."
Varner, who is expected to compete this summer at the Olympics in London, won a bronze medal at the 2011 world championships.
High schools
Ridgeview defensive back Shannon Edwards has backed away from his verbal commitment with National Signing Day rapidly approaching, Wolf Pack coach Dennis Manning.
Manning said the Bruins requested that Edwards spend next year as a grayshirt -- meaning he wouldn't attend UCLA until the winter semester, missing all practice and his freshman football season so that he could focus on academics.
"He doesn't want to grayshirt," Manning said. "So he's got a difficult decision to make."
When UCLA and Edwards parted ways last week, Edwards -- who had verbally committed to the Bruins in June -- took a visit to Fresno State. Manning said it's possible Edwards will end his recruitment by signing with the Bulldogs on Wednesday, which is National Signing Day.
But other schools are interested -- including Nevada, San Jose State, BYU and Idaho -- and Manning wants to make sure Edwards explores his options.
"To me, Fresno is an extension of Bakersfield," Manning said. "I want him to know there's other choices, to know what he might be turning down. I'm on his side; I just want him to make an informed choice, whether that's Fresno State or somewhere else."
Bakersfield Christian has named Dan Swagerty, a longtime coach in various sports, as its interim athletic director.
The school also has named Nate Thiessen, an assistant coach for the past six years under Doug Barnett, as its football coordinator. Swagerty described the position as a place-holder until BCHS names a coach to replace Barnett.
Swagerty said BCHS already has received "10 to 12, maybe 15" applications for football coach and another handful for athletic director, including his own. He said the school hadn't yet begun to narrow down that field.
JC women's tennis
Kafi Beadle and Kim Butler collected singles victories for Bakersfield College in a 6-3 season-opening loss to Reedley at BC.
Beadle defeated Hannah Walters 6-4, 7-5, and Butler cruised past Jennifer Frauenheim 6-1, 6-3.
BC's No. 2 doubles team of Jackie Griffin and Haleigh Dilbeck edged Frauenheim and Alisha Kennedy, 8-6.
The Renegades play at College of the Sequoias at 1 p.m. today.
