Jantzen Elected to EIWA Hall of Fame

Ten years after having competed in his final collegiate match, Harvard wrestler Jesse Jantzen ’04 has been selected as one of the newest inductees to the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association’s Hall of Fame.

Jantzen had plenty of success with the Crimson, compiling a 132-13 record during his tenure with the team. He was named first team All-Ivy in each of his four seasons, while also being named an All-American three times. The star capped his career by earning the Ivy League Player of the Year title after his senior season.

In 2004, Jantzen cemented his legacy at Harvard, winning an NCAA championship at 149 pounds. The title was the second in school history and the first since John Harkness ’38 took the crown in his senior season many decades prior.

The Crimson’s most recent champion hails from Shoreham, New York, where he also had huge success as a wrestler in high school. Jantzen won six league titles, claimed six county crowns, and became the first wrestler in New York history to win four state championships. He recorded a 221-3 record at Shoreham High, winning 157 consecutive matches to close his high school career.

After graduating from Harvard, Jantzen continued to wrestle at a high level. In 2005, he won a gold medal at the World University Games in Turkey and placed fourth in the World Team Trials. A year later, Jantzen returned to the Crimson as an assistant coach while continuing his own wrestling career.

The induction ceremony will take place Sunday, March 9 at 3:45pm at the University of Pennsylvania. The service will precede this year’s EIWA Championships at The Palestra.