Harvard Adds Jamill Kelly, Jesse Jantzen To Staff

Olympic Medalist Jamill Kelly and NCAA Champion Jesse Jantzen Join Wrestling Staff

May 16, 2006

Cambridge, Mass. – Harvard wrestling is the latest program affected by all the coaching changes in the world of collegiate wrestling. Crimson Head Coach Jay Weiss announced the hiring of Olympic silver medalist Jamill Kelly and Harvard’s own three-time All-American and NCAA champion Jesse Jantzen, `04 as assistant coaches on Tuesday. Kelly and Jantzen take over for Jared Frayer, who left the Crimson after three years to train at the Olympic Training Center, and Teague Moore, who leaves after one season to become the head coach at Clarion University.

“Both Teague and Jared have meant a lot to our program in many ways. We are ever thankful for what they have contributed as they both have been key factors in our success over the last few years, “Weiss said.

“We will miss Jared and Teague both professionally and personally, but are very excited for their opportunities – Jared will be moving to the Olympic Training Center and Teague has become a head coach. Its bittersweet for us, but I do not feel we are going to miss a beat. ”

“Obviously, Jamill has not only competed at the highest level, but he has succeeded on the grandest stage. He is the product of a program that is arguably the best in the county right now. Jesse knows exactly what it takes to succeed at Harvard on the mat and in the classroom and he is well respected among his peers. Having him involved in the daily training of the athletes in our program is immeasurable to me. It will be an honor to have Jesse on staff as he trains for a bid to the 2008 Olympic Games. ”

Kelly, a 2000 graduate of Oklahoma State, won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics after winning the Olympic Trials and the U.S. Nationals at 66kg (145.5 lbs.) that year. Kelly placed fifth or higher at the U.S. Nationals from 2001- 03 and was second at the Pan American Games in 2003. Kelly served as an administrative assistant for OSU from 2002- 05 and also worked with the Cowboy Wrestling Club, which he founded in 2001 and serves as head coach.

“I’m just really excited to take my knowledge and experience from the most storied wrestling school in the world, to the most storied academic school in the world, “Kelly said. “I’m excited about getting the chance to work with Coach Weiss and Jesse Jantzen in helping take Harvard wrestling to the next level. ”

Jantzen won the 149-pound title as a senior to become the second national champion at Harvard – and the first since 1938. He was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA championships and was chosen as the Ivy League and EIWA wrestler of the year. He is the only Harvard wrestler in history to make four NCAA tournament appearances and is the Crimson’s first three-time All-America selection. He continues to compete on the international level at 145.5 pounds and is training for the 2008 Olympic Games. He was the 2005 University World Champion, third at the Schultz International and took fourth at the 2005 Senior World Team Trials.

“I am excited and eager to play a more active role in Harvard wrestling this coming year, “Jantzen said. “The past two years I have been very involved with the program as a volunteer and as a training partner for the athletes. Now as a member of the staff I can contribute more of my time and make a serious commitment to the team. I look forward to working with Coach Weiss and Jamill Kelly on a daily basis.”