Jake Strayer was ready to repeat.

He was a junior at Forest Hills High School and had won the 103-pound state title a year earlier as a sophomore. Now, competing at the familiar Hersheypark Arena, Strayer was a favorite to win his second straight wrestling state title, this time in the 119-pound weight class.

Strayer entered the tournament with a 40-0 record, and was facing Ryan Storm, who had a 30-8 record at Donegal High School. What was supposed to happen and what actually happened were two very different things, as Storm defeated Strayer and ruined his hopes of a second straight title.

However, Forest Hills wrestling coach Jim Bowser said what happened next epitomizes why Strayer is such a rare athlete. After the first round loss, Bowser said it would have been easy for Strayer to hang his head and take the early exit from Hershey. However, Strayer won five matches in a row in the consolation bracket and took home third place in the state.

"Last year in states, the way he didn't get down on himself really made him a stronger, tougher individual," Bowser said.

Strayer will bring that strength and toughness to Penn State next year, as he and Neil Bretz made written commitments to the Nittany Lions last week in the early signing period.

Penn State wrestling coach Troy Sunderland said that the Lions are getting two good kids whose hard work will benefit the program.

"We had a chance to work with Jake in the wrestling camp over the summer," Sunderland said. "He is a strong competitor and has high goals."

Aside from finishing eighth in the state in wrestling as a freshman, first as a sophomore and third as a junior, Strayer also excels in cross-country and track. He finished ninth in the state cross-country championships as a sophomore and set school records for both the mile and the two-mile.

As far as wrestling goes, Bowser described Strayer as a technician with quick feet and strong endurance. He has won the District 6 and regional championships all three years, and has dropped just one match in each of the last two years.

"If it's a close match going into the third period, the smart money is on Jake," Bowser said. "He has the attitude that he can always get better and is mentally strong."

Bretz, the team's other early signing, was 41-4 last year and placed sixth in the state at the 160-pound weight class. He is a two-time state qualifier and won a regional championship as a sophomore. Bretz is expected to compete at the 174-pound or 184-pound weight class at Penn State.