Spikes welcome Jake Varner to ballpark on Friday

Jake Varner won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling for the United States at the Olympic Games just 12 days ago, and on Friday night, the golden grappler will be on hand for the State College Spikes' 7:05 p.m. game against the Jamestown Jammers (Miami Marlins). Varner will throw out a ceremonial first pitch and talk about his Olympic experiences throughout the night.

Varner, a member of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club in State College, defeated Valeriy Andriytsev of Ukraine in two straight periods to win the gold-medal match of the 96 kg (211.64 lbs) weight class. The Bakersfield, CA native became the second American to win gold in freestyle wrestling at the 2012 Games after Jordan Burroughs took down the 74 kg (163.14 lbs) gold medal.

A two-time NCAA champion at Iowa State, where he wrestled under current Penn State wrestling coach and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson as well as 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kevin Jackson, Varner has trained at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club since concluding his collegiate career in 2010.

During his time at the ballpark, Varner will toss a ceremonial first pitch at approximately 6:50 p.m. Varner will then be interviewed on the field about his Olympic journey in the first inning, and will be on hand to meet and greet fans during the game.

Fans can get a great deal and a handy giveaway on Friday as well. The first 1,000 fans through the gates when they open at 6 p.m. (5:45 for season ticket holders) will receive a Spikes Six-Pack Cooler Tube presented by HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital. Plus, fans will be able to take advantage of the 4 for $44 Friday deal, presented by Majic 99. Purchase four Diamond Club seats, four hot dogs and four small sodas for just $44 (a $63 value).

After the game, kids can run the bases thanks to Clinical Outcomes Group, Inc.

Returning college students can also take advantage of the College Student 3-2-1 Special, presented by BioLife Plasma Services, for all six games. Any college student showing a valid ID will get $3 off any seat at the ballpark (except suite and picnic tickets), along with $2 sodas and $1 hot dogs all game long.

Plus, the first 100 college students showing a valid ID at the table will be able to receive a free hot dog thanks to Lions Crossing, Nittany Crossing and State College Park.

Fans can also celebrate their Fridays with DJ Ricky LaPean and karaoke just outside the ballpark gates starting at 4:30 p.m.

Great seats are available for Friday night's game and can be purchased by visiting the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office, by calling toll-free (877) 99-SPIKES, or by clicking here to buy and print tickets from your home computer.