Mead wrestler Jake Glade (‘24) announced his commitment to Western Wyoming Community College on November 22nd, 2023.

Glade has been wrestling since the age of four and grew up in the wrestling world under the wing of coach Leister Bowling III. Bowling was a four-time CHSAA state placer and three-time state champion; Bowling was also a three-time all-American at Dana College in Nebraska. Bowling has an extensive background in wrestling and mixed martial arts, as he was a wrestling coach for the Elevation Fight Team.

Aspiring to win another state title in the 2023–24 season, Jake is a three-time Colorado state place winner and 2023 state champion at the CHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. Glade’s other accolades include being a two-time regional champion as well as qualifying for the USMC Junior and 16U Nationals three times.

Glade (‘24) knew that Western Wyoming was the place for him because he would be pushed to be his best athletically and academically. The Mustangs are the number one junior college in the country, and Glade (‘24) has a good relationship with head coach Art Castillo, as Bowling and Castillo go back to their college days. Glade (‘24) is undecided on a career path but knows he wants to go into trade after his time in Rock Springs.

After being offered a full-ride scholarship to Colorado State University Pueblo, Glade (‘24) turned down the offer so he could be a Mustang instead.

“I don’t want to completely shut down the idea of wrestling at the division one level. That’s why I am choosing community college instead of a division-two program. The goal has always been to wrestle division one, and I feel like I have a better shot of getting there going this path than going to a division two school,” Glade said.

After further consideration with family and coaches, Glade (‘24) decided to commit to Western Wyoming to know where he is and feel little pressure during the 2023–24 high school season.

Bonnie Glade, Jake’s mom, is his number one supporter. Never missing a period of his wrestling career, you will always find Ms. Glade cheering as loud as she can and even sometimes sweating and shaking in nervousness for her son.

Glade has not had the smoothest career in this sport, battling many surgeries and other roadblocks in his personal life.

“Jake has overcome so many challenges in wrestling and in life. He never let his circumstances hold him back or play the victim. He always finds a way to dig deep and push through,” said Ms. Glade.

In the wrestling world, very rarely will an athlete bring attention to an injury—young and hungry wrestlers are under the impression that if there’s not a gaping hole in your body or a limb is hanging in a place it shouldn’t, you can make it through your next match.

Ms. Glade added, “Through the physical challenges and surgeries Jake has faced, I think his mental toughness is what stands out most. He has learned through his injuries that even when you have physical setbacks, you can still find a way. Your mind may play tricks on you, but if you’ve put in the work and the time, and you believe in your skills, you can accomplish anything.”

As a mother, you can only dream of your child succeeding at the highest level. As for Ms. Glade, proud is an understatement of her feelings about Jake’s success. Glade has an outstanding work ethic and will never settle for less.

“Jake has always known that he didn’t want me to pay for college, so he was going to make sure that wrestling paid for it. The responsible consideration he put into choosing Western Wyoming as the place he would feel academically and physically challenged and supported to attain the greatest success makes me even more proud,” said Ms. Glade.

Follow Jake on his journey as he chases his second Colorado state title as the Mead Mavericks kick off the back half of the wrestling season.