Kris Schimek coached three NJCAA All-Americans and 12 NJCAA Eastern District champions, including two Most Outstanding Wrestlers, during his seven years as Jamestown Community College’s head wrestling coach. Photo courtesy of Jamestown CC Athletics

Jamestown Community College head wrestling coach Kris Schimek will be stepping down from his role, effective immediately.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure working with everyone at JCC over the past seven years,” said Schimek, a 2011 Pine Valley graduate. “I have learned and grown both as a person and coach but at this point, I have to focus my attention to my family.”

“What Kris has brought to JCC was a formula for success both on and off the mat,” said George Sisson, director of athletics. “As an athlete, he knew what it took to be successful here and the results showed up. He took this program from the ground up and he had his team competing at a high level regionally and nationally. He brought a tone of energy to this program and has given us the blueprint to build upon his success.”

Schimek has been at the helm of the Jayhawks wrestling program since the 2016-17 season where his team has seen success throughout his time with the team.

During his time as head coach, Schimek has coached three NJCAA All-Americans, 12 NJCAA Eastern District champions and 12 NJCAA Region 3 All-Region members, as well as two NJCAA Eastern District Most Outstanding Wrestlers. Schimek also had three of his wrestlers inducted into the NJCAA Region 3 Wrestling Hall of Fame. Nate Skonieczny, a Walsh Jesuit High School product from Stow, Ohio; Cameron Page, a Falconer Central School product; and Dan Torres, a Cassadaga Valley Central School product, were all inducted in 2022.

As a team, Schimek saw his best team record come during his final season where he guided JCC to a 5-3 dual record and as NJCAA District Championship runner-ups. Schimek also guided his team to a NJCAA District Championship runner-up season during the 2020-21.

Not only was Schimek able to get the most out of his wrestlers on the mats, he also held the same standard within the classroom. Schimek had 12 wrestlers earn NWCA Scholar All-American honors as well as the Scholar All-American Team award during the 2021-22 season. During the 2018-19 season, the Jayhawks were named earned the NJCAA Team Academic Award for having the highest team GPA for participating teams at the national tournament. To add to the academic accomplishments, the Jayhawks were also named a three-time NJCAA Academic Team of the Year.

The athletic department will be working quickly to fill the void that was left to continue the successes for the 2023-24 season and beyond.