A Legacy of Leadership & Coaching

My name is Jake Gunter, but around the mats and the fields, most people just call me Coach Jake. I am a career U.S. Army Officer with 15 years of leadership experience, but my true passion has always been mentorship. For the past 20 years, I have been coaching athletes across the spectrum—from U.S. and International Soldiers in the Army to youth athletes in our local community.

Since moving to South Hill four years ago, I’ve had the privilege of coaching at the Puyallup YMCA and within our local Little League. I am a neighbor, a fellow parent, and a firm believer in the strength of our South Hill community.

Why I Founded Core Wrestling

As a father of five daughters, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact wrestling has on a young person's confidence and grit. Several of my daughters have taken up the sport, and I wanted to create a training environment that provided the elite technical structure they needed while keeping the focus on character.

Wrestling has been a cornerstone of my life. I was a two-time State Placer in Oregon during high school and continued to compete at the club level in college. During my time in the Army, I stayed active on the mats, placing in two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and a military wrestling tournament.

The "Core" Mission

I founded Core Wrestling at Stahl Junior High because I believe wrestling is the ultimate laboratory for building human character. My goal is to develop "The Complete Athlete." I want to produce young men and women who are:

1. Disciplined: Doing the hard work even when no one is watching.

2. Resilient: Having the "mental toughness" to get back up after a loss.

3. Humble: Respecting the sport, the opponent, and the process.

We aren't just training for the next match; we are training for the next decade of your child’s life. I look forward to seeing you on the mats at Stahl!