Jim Vollrath compiled a career record of 72-24 at Penn State (Photo/Bill Ennis)James "Jimmy" Vollrath, who wrestled for Penn State from 2009-2014, died Friday from Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Vollrath, competing for the Nittany Lions at 157 pounds, compiled a 72-24 in his collegiate career. Among his PSU highlights: winning ESU Open title in 2010, and defeating eventual three-time NCAA champ Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State and eventually placing second at the prestigious 2013 Southern Scuffle.
A native of Richboro, Pa., Vollrath graduated from Penn State with a degree in kinesiology.
Penn State wrestling tweeted out this tribute on Saturday: "We mourn the loss of our teammate, our friend and our brother James Vollrath. Our hearts are heavy but our memories of him are joyous. Our thoughts are with his family.''
Prior to coming to Happy Valley, Vollrath wrestled at Council Rock South High School at 145 pounds, where he compiled a 132-45 mark, and was a PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) state championships place winner in 2009, following in his father's footsteps, as Bill Vollrath placed third at the PIAAs for Hatboro-Horsham at 132 pounds in 1973, according to Pennsylvania wrestling journalist Tom Elling.
This summer, Vollrath's girlfriend, Taryn Marino, established a GoFundMe.com page for Vollrath's cancer battle, which stated at time that the former wrestler had been recently diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma cancer. As of Saturday, the page had raised over $60,000, exceeding the original goal of $50,000.
WebMD.com describes Ewing's sarcoma as "a very rare type of cancerous tumor that grows in your bones or the soft tissue around your bones, such as cartilage or the nerves." The website goes on to say Ewing's sarcoma affects about 200 children and young adults in the U.S. each year.
"He fought valiantly and had great support from his family and his wrestling family at Penn State," Elling told InterMat. "I didn't know Jim well, but knew he had great family values."
Update: Services have been announced for Jim Vollrath. The viewing is scheduled for Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road in Northampton, Pa. The viewing will continue Thursday from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass at 10.
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