Kyle Dake

Kyle Dake is an American freestyle wrestler and a four-time NCAA Division I national champion. He is renowned for being the first wrestler in NCAA history to win national titles in four different weight classes. A dominant force internationally, he has won multiple World Wrestling Championships medals and an Olympic bronze medal for the United States.

Early life and education

Kyle Dake was born and raised in Ithaca, New York, where he attended Lansing High School. Under the coaching of his father, Doug Dake, he became a four-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association champion. He continued his academic and athletic career at Cornell University, competing for the Cornell Big Red under head coach Rob Koll. At Cornell, he studied in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Wrestling career

Dake's collegiate career is legendary, competing for the Cornell Big Red from 2009 to 2013. He captured his first NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships title at 141 pounds as a freshman. He then won titles at 149 pounds, 157 pounds, and finally 165 pounds, achieving the unprecedented feat across four weight classes. His finals victories included wins over notable opponents like David Taylor of Penn State. He was a four-time Ivy League champion and received the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's top collegiate wrestler in 2013.

International career

Transitioning to freestyle wrestling, Dake made his senior world team debut in 2018. He won a bronze medal at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest. He secured his first world title at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships in Nur-Sultan, defeating Jabrayil Hasanov of Azerbaijan in the final. After earning a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, he added further world titles at the 2021 World Wrestling Championships in Oslo and the 2022 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade. He competes internationally for the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club and is trained by coaches like John Azevedo.

Coaching career

Following his graduation from Cornell University, Dake served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cornell Big Red wrestling program under Rob Koll. He has been involved in coaching at various training camps, including those for the USA Wrestling national team. His technical expertise is frequently sought at elite clinics, such as those hosted by the New York Athletic Club.

Personal life

Dake is married to his college sweetheart, Megan Dake. The couple resides in Ithaca, New York, and has children. He is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying activities like hunting and fishing. He maintains close ties to his alma mater, Cornell University, and is involved in community initiatives in the Finger Lakes region.

Legacy and honors

Kyle Dake's legacy is anchored by his historic four NCAA titles across different weights, a record that remains unmatched. His international accolades include multiple World Wrestling Championships gold medals and an Olympic Games bronze. His honors include the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy, the James E. Sullivan Award nomination, and induction into the Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame. He is widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient wrestlers of his generation and a pillar of USA Wrestling. Category:American freestyle wrestlers Category:Cornell University alumni Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in wrestling Category:Olympic wrestlers of the United States Category:World Wrestling Championships medalists