https://triblive.com/sports/verkleeran-is-not-leaving-penn-states-wrestling-program/
Hempfield grad Verkleeran jokes he's leaving Penn State's wrestling program
Paul Schofield | Tribune-Review
Penn State wrestler Jarod Verkleeren answers questions during media day Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
On April 1, Penn State redshirt freshman Jarod Verkleeren announced on Twitter that he was leaving the wrestling program to pursue a World/Olympic dream.
Well, before Penn State fans get worried, Verkleeren isn’t going anywhere.
It was an April Fool’s joke.
After much thought and talking it over with my coaches I decided to withdraw from college and pursue my dreams of winning a World/Olympic title. My coaches think Greco is the the best route for me to take. Thanks to all the Penn State fans for the support over the past two years.— JarodVerkleeren (@verkleeren_j) April 1, 2019
Verkleeren finished his first season with a 15-6 record at 149 pounds. He was beaten out by redshirt Brady Berge at the end of the season for the Big Ten Championships and NCAA Division I tournament.
Verkleeren, a Hempfield graduate who won a state title his senior season in 2017, does plan to compete in the Greco-Roman tournament at the U.S. Open.
Verkleeren was a 2015 Cadet World Champion.
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