Jay Pike headed to Pella for teaching job, coaching gig

Former Central College wrestler Jay Pike will be returning to Pella after accepting a teaching position that will correlate with his accepting the head wrestling coach job for the Dutch, as well. Pike, a Solon High graduate, has spent the past three years in Fairfield teaching and assisting with the football and wrestling programs.

'I appreciated his time and effort while he was here,” said Trojan head wrestling coach Steve Miller. 'He was a good assistant coach who was willing to help out in the weight room and was a good leader for the kids to follow with a great attitude and we'll miss him the same way we have a lot of great coaches and teachers who have come through the district and you value them while they're here and you never fault somebody for following their heart and going to where they feel they can have the best opportunity.”

New assistant

'We've already had over the last year or two several local community members and former wrestlers who have gone out and got their coaching authorizations and have already been helping us and that's one great thing,” said Miller. 'We've got a great wrestling community here in Fairfield with several great wrestlers and homegrown proven athletes who are returning to the area and are excited to continue the Fairfield tradition. We have a lot of potential assistants and I've already been approached by several individuals about stepping in, so I'm not worried at all and we won't miss a step and we'll pick right up and go. I'm happy for Jay in his new opportunity and even more so excited about the direction that Fairfield wrestling is headed now with it's strong youth and middle school programs. We're in a good spot and I look forward to Fairfield's future.”