JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Jake Gunning, a former standout heavyweight wrestler for the University at Buffalo, has been named assistant men's wrestling coach at New Jersey City University, head coach Harry Turner has announced. Gunning becomes the fourth assistant coach on Turner's inaugural staff as the program prepares for its debut season in 2020-21.
 
"Jake was one of the most passionate competitors I've ever had the good fortune to coach," said Turner, who served as assistant wrestling coach at Buffalo from 2015-17. "Having him bring some of that fire and intensity to our wrestling room is going to benefit this team tremendously. While most schools are finding ways to reduce expenditures and support for Olympic sports, NJCU continues to invest in this program with infrastructure and resources. This investment in Jake will yield results for this team immediately."
 
Gunning brings a world-class competitive acumen to Jersey City. A three-time NCAA Division I National Tournament Qualifier, Gunning was the Mid-American Conference champion at 285 pounds as a redshirt sophomore in 2016-17, after previously finishing as the MAC runner-up in 2015-16. Gunning's storied career also included a Junior World Team alternate spot as well as a national ranking that climbed as high as #11 during his senior year in 2018-19.
 
He finished his career with an impressive 72-35 ledger, including a 50-13 mark in duals and a 20-8 record in MAC competition. Gunning produced 121 takedowns in his four seasons with the Bulls, 66 escapes and three falls at 285.
 
As a senior in 2018-19, Gunning went 17-5 with a 13-3 mark in duals and 5-2 in the MAC. As a junior in 2017-18, he was 17-8 overall, 11-1 in duals and a perfect 5-0 in MAC duals and earned an upset of NCAA No. 11 ranked Cody Crawford of Oregon State. In 2016-17, Gunning had a career-high for victories (20-7), going 14-3 in duals (5-3 MAC). As a redshirt-freshman in 2015-16, Gunning had a brilliant initial campaign, posting a team-best 12 duals wins and five MAC dual victories on the season, going 18-12 overall. He recorded 41 takedowns — 12 more than anyone else on the team.
 
As a true freshman in 2014-15, Gunning redshirted but still collected a 28-8 record in open tournaments during the season. He was invited to and attended the USA Wrestling World Cup Training Camp.
 
A native of Bethlehem, Pa., Gunning was a late-blooming standout for Liberty High School where he earned a third-place medal at the PIAA AAA State Tournament as a senior. He was a two-time Pennsylvania state qualifier in Hershey and was a USAW Junior All-American in Freestyle. He was named Fargo All-American along with NHSCA Senior All-American and a Super 32 place winner as a senior. He also was the district and regional champion as a senior. A four-year member and two-year team captain for the Hurricanes, as a senior, Gunning racked up a 40-5 record while establishing a school record for pins and leading the team in takedowns. 
 
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics at Buffalo in 2019. Gunning, 24, resides in Union City, N.J. and works for Mill Creek Residential Trust, LLC in downtown Jersey City.
 
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NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY—Named Jake Gunning assistant men's wrestling coach.