“I believe success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination”.   – Zig Ziglar

Jared Keslar has always been competitive. He’s determined. He knows what he wants and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. Hard working, nose to the grind kinda guy. Gritty, not afraid of hard work.  Connellsville tough.  Wrestling may not have always been his first love. It is now. Jared played football and baseball as a youth. Most kids do until they figure out what they love. He figured that out when he was in middle school. He dedicated his time and attention to wrestling.

Keslar states, “I dropped all other sports in 7th grade, I was a wrestler, I fell in love with the sport then.” He had been going to All American Wrestling Club, run by legendary coach, Rob Waller. He and his family then decided to make a change. Jared then stared wrestling for Jody Strittmatter at Young Guns Wrestling  Club. He had some great partners like Rocco Welsh (Ohio St.) Jackson Arrington (NC State), Vinny Kilkeary (Ohio State) and now teammate at Pitt, Finn Solomon.

Jared was also blessed to be raised in the Connellsville wrestling community. These folks know wrestling. They back it from their youth club until high school. They travel. They cheer. They are one of the most supportive high school fan bases you’ll ever see. He benefited from some great coaching at his school as well as his club coaches. How would greatness not be expected? He would deliver. Jared Keslar is a winner. He had the perfect mindset, the right approach. He knew what he had to do to win.

Keslar finished high school with a record of 129-27. He collected two fourth place state medal as well as a state title his senior year. He achieved what he had always set out to. Now the next level, college.

Jared admits, “I knew college would be so much harder than high school.” He had interest from quite a few schools. His first call came from the University of Pittsburgh. Keith Gavin knows a good one when he sees one, he was a former NCAA champ, now coaching this alma mater. He also lives in the back yard of the best high school wrestling region in the country. Look at his lineup, you’ll see almost half of the starters are from the WPIAL. Jared quickly fell in love with the the atmosphere of the school and program. He chose Pitt. It just made sense for him.  It’s also a nice set up when your family and friends can come to all of your matches. “It’s great that I can have my family and the Connellsville community there to support me. It’s special.”

As good as a wrestler as Jared is, he’s also a good student. The Criminal Justice major hopes to someday work for the FBI. He has acquired a lot of the attributes to make him successful through this sport. He’s relentless,          intelligent, well spoken and loyal. Keslar has all the qualities necessary to succeed in the professional space.

Keslar admits that starting as an underclassman had its challenges. “I’m still learning how to adjust from high level high school to Division 1 college wrestling. I have some of the best coaches and practice partners in the country. I know I have the ability, and with the support I have, I’ll be there soon.”

Coming up in the WPIAL prepares young men for this. He went through that gauntlet. He was also the best in the state. Not many people can say that. Jared Keslar is as mentally tough as he is physically tough. He’s a guy any coach would want on their roster. He’s Connellsville tough. That’s something most cannot claim. It’s a different make up, a different thought process. It’s a blessing. He was the Outstanding Wrestler for team WPIAL in the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic. His lateral drop was a thing of beauty in that match.

Jared Keslar is a dude. He has all the tools. He’s where he needs to be to become great. He’ll do that, no question. Coach Gavin got another great one from the WPIAL. We can all look forward to the great things that Jared Keslar will do!