STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Jordan Burroughs’ legendary career will end this weekend at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials at Penn State.
The 35-year-old New Jersey and U.S. legend announced he would retire at this year’s Olympics - or at this weekend’s Trials if he didn’t make the team.
Burroughs dropped the 74 kg Challenge Tournament final to Penn State three-time NCAA champion Jason Nolf, 3-0, on Friday night. Nolf moved on to the best-of-three finals against Kyle Dake on Saturday.
Burroughs can continue in the consolation bracket and as of Friday night was expected to do so.
A six-time world medalist and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, Burroughs is arguably the greatest wrestler in U.S. history. No one has more than his seven golds and he also has three bronze medals.
Burroughs was a state champion at Winslow Township High School who went on to win two NCAAa titles at Nebraska - the last in Philadelphia, a half-hour from his childhood home - before starting his senior-level career. He won his first world title in 2011 and the Olympic medal the following year.
Nolf scored a passivity point in the first period and a takedown almost off the whistle in the second.
Burroughs’ corner successfully challenged a push-out and takedown in the first period that could have put him in a deeper hole. He never got his legendary offense going.
Burroughs won his first two matches against Penn State wrestlers Alex Facundo and Mitchell Mesenbrink and the Penn State crowd started to boo him at the end of the Mesenbrink match after there was some extra-curricular activity.
Burroughs said in an interview with NJ.com last week whatever happened this weekend he was satisified.
“It’s sobering because the end is near. It could be six days from now or six months from now. I take solace in the fact I love what I do, I’m good at what I do. I’ve been able to do it at a high level for a long time. It’ll be hard unquestionably. I’ve been in it for so long, through multiple rules changes, multiple generations of greats. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in this sport. But I also am content with what I’ve done, who I’ve become and the place I’ve left the sport. When the time comes it will be an emotional moment, but it won’t linger because I know I’ve given all I’ve had. I won’t have any regrets.”
Bill Evans can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com.Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.