Primus Wrestling
Jake Lininger
Primus Wrestling Coach
1999 Graduate of Lower Dauphin High School. Qualified twice for PIAA AAA HS State Championships. In 1999, was a PIAA AAA State Runner-up. In doing so, I had the opportunity to be a member of Team Pennsylvania for the Dapper Dan/Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic helping the PA team to a victory over the USA All-Stars. In addition, was selected by InterMat Magazine a HS All-American.
I wrestled collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh from 1999-2002. Was a member of the 2001 Amateur Wrestling News Division I All-Rookie Team. Qualified for the 2002 Division I National Championships in Albany, NY. From there, transferred to the University of Minnesota for the 2002-2003 year. Part of the 2003 Big Ten Team Champions. Lastly, I finished my college career at Shippensburg University in the 2005-2006 year. I was a NCAA Division II Individual All-American taking home 3rd place honors. In addition, I helped my team to their highest finish in school history as we finished 3rd at the NCAA Championships. My career collegiate record was 102-34. In the spring of 2023 I came out of retirement and took 2nd place at the US Open Masters C division.
I transitioned to coaching and was a High School Assistant Coach at Big Spring High School for 2 years, Cumberland Valley High School for 4 years and Lower Dauphin High School for 2 years. During those stints, I was able to coach many state place winners and a state team runner-up. I was also an assistant coach at Shippensburg University for 2 years having coached 3 All-Americans. Currently I am an assistant coach at Messiah University since 2023 and run the Primus Wrestling Club out of Messiah U.
I live in Dillsburg, PA with my wife Katie and his sons Jackson, Jacob and Judah as well as my daughter Sara.
Having been involved with wrestling as a competitor and coach for over 37 years, I lean on the many positive experiences and life lesson this great sport can provide when engaging with wrestlers of all levels.