Jake Varner’s collegiate wrestling career was highlighted by a number of historic accomplishments.

In his time at Iowa State, Varner became only the 13th four-time finalist in NCAA history, won two national titles at 197 pounds and helped lead the Cyclones to a third-place finish at both the 2009 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.

His longtime teammate and good friend, David Zabriskie, ended his collegiate wrestling career at the top of the winners’ podium at the 2010 NCAA tournament at heavyweight.

But as the sun sets on Varner and Zabriskie’s collegiate wrestling careers, it also marks the beginning of their wrestling careers after college in the World and Olympic wrestling scenes.

“I’m going to be trying for the Worlds and the Olympic gold medal,” said Varner, who ended his college career with an overall record of 121-10. “That’s my goal, to win these next two World Championships and the Olympic gold medal in 2012. That’s what I’m looking forward to now.”

Starting out as key recruits from the top-ranked recruiting class of 2005 for Iowa State, Varner and Zabriskie were coached by Olympic gold medalists Cael Sanderson and Kevin Jackson throughout their time at Iowa State.

Both Sanderson and Jackson had a big impact on their success as Cyclones.

“I had Cael [Sanderson] as an Olympic champion and I have coach Jackson as an Olympic champion, so I’m fortunate to have that,” Varner said. “There’s not many guys who can say they’ve had two Olympic champions as their head coach.”

Jackson, who won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at 82 kilograms (180.8 pounds) at the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona, coached Varner and Zabriskie this season. Jackson feels that both wrestlers’ successful senior seasons can translate into success at the World and Olympic level of wrestling — especially for a newcomer to the international scene like Zabriskie.

“I think when you’re looking at the potential for David Zabriskie to be on our Olympic team in 2012 with him winning at the NCAA level, obviously our Olympic champions and the World champions come from the NCAA tournament and being the best in the country,” Jackson said. “So obviously he has the skills, the potential and the ability to do that.”

Varner competed in the 2009 World Wrestling Championships in Denmark, where he placed ninth overall while wrestling at 96 kilograms (211.5 pounds).

However, once the beginning of the 2009-10 collegiate wrestling season drew closer and closer, getting down to 197 pounds became a struggle for him. But Jackson says that being able to wrestle at a heavier weight will play to Varner’s advantage.

“He’s more naturally 211 [pounds]. He has to diet a little bit and watch what he eats in order for him to make 197 pounds, and he makes it pretty good because he’s really in control of his diet and he’s really disciplined,” Jackson said of Varner. “He’s more natural at 211 pounds because he doesn’t have to worry about anything except getting bigger and stronger.”

Even though Zabriskie may be new to the international wrestling scene, Jackson stressed that the small things in Zabriskie’s wrestling style will be his points of focus as 2012 draws closer.

“Everything is a small thing right now. He’s a national champion so obviously he does some things pretty well,” Jackson said of Zabriskie. “At the same time, the small things will be to continue to increase his back rate, continue to develop his counter-offense attacks and to understand the rules and the tactics that freestyle wrestling involves that collegiate wrestling does not.”

Bobby Douglas, who recruited Varner before his final season as Cyclones’ head coach before stepping down to give the job to Sanderson, expressed his views on his star recruit’s chances at winning the gold medal.

“I think he’s on track,” Douglas said of Varner. “He just needs to be in the right environment where he can train and have proper coaching.”

Douglas coached the Cyclones from 1992-06 and is the second-winningest coach in the history of the program. During his time at Iowa State, Douglas coached his predecessor and soon-to-be Olympic gold medalist, Sanderson, from 1999-02.

Sanderson went undefeated to set an NCAA record of 159 straight victories and four NCAA titles, becoming the only wrestler ever to accomplish both feats.

“The only thing that can prevent Jake Varner from winning an Olympic gold is Jake Varner,” Douglas said.

“He has to make sure that he’s in the right place at the right time with the right people and have the right attitude.”