About Ken Chertow

Personal Achievements

U.S.A. Olympian - Seoul Olympics

3x NCAA All-American

3x Academic All-American

2x Junior World Champion

Maccabi Games Gold Medalist

Olympic Festival Champion

Midlands Champion & Outstanding Wrestler

Featured Clinician at 2008 Olympic Trials, NCAA Coaches Clinic, NWCA National Convention, & World Team Trials

State Coaches Association Clinics in PA, NJ, NY, WI, MI, OR, and more

Big Ten Network & CBS College Sports Expert Analyst

Voted Broadcaster of the Year by National Wrestling Media Association

Coaching Achievements

College Coaching – Penn State

College Coaching – Ohio State

National Dual Meet Champions – Penn State

2nd Place NCAA Championships – Penn State

3rd Place National Dual Meet Championship – Ohio State

4th & 5th Place NCAA Championships – Ohio State

Founder of Gold Medal Training Camp System

Youth & High School Coaching

Over 200 USAW, NHSCA & AAU National Champions in the past 10 years

Tulsa National Team Championship

Wrestling USA National Championship

Coached 1000+ High School State Champions in the past 25 years

1980s

Wrestling Beginnings

Ken Chertow wrestling on the mats in Rec Hall at Penn State.

Early Wrestling Success

In the 5th grade Ken's mom introduced him wrestling. After 5 years of consistent training and summer camps, Ken became a 2x undefeated state champion. He won 2 Outstanding Wrestler Awards in high school, culminating in Junior National titles in both freestyle and Greco. Ken won 2 Junior World Championships and the foundation was set for pursuit of Olympic Gold.

1985-1989

NCAA & Olympics

Ken Chertow's Team USA Olympic Wrestling team in front of Olympic rings.

College & Olympic Career

At Penn State University, Ken took his skills to the next level, becoming a three-time NCAA All-American, Pan American Champion, and a U.S. Olympian. Off the mat, he excelled academically, earning three Academic All-American honors and graduating with a 3.6 GPA.

1990s

Coaching Begins

Kerry McCoy Wrestling on the mats at Penn State.

Building Champions

Ken’s coaching career began while he was still competing, running summer camps that would later evolve into the Gold Medal Training Camp System. His coaching tenure at Ohio State and Penn State helped shape powerhouse programs, with Ohio State achieving its highest NCAA finishes at the time (4th and 5th place) and Penn State securing a National Dual Meet Championship and an NCAA runner-up finish—their best in nearly 50 years.

2000s

Gold Medal Camps

Ken Chertow training wrestlers on the mats at the Blair Convention Center in Altoona, PA.

Training Future Stars

Now, Ken’s focus is entirely on mentoring and developing the next generation of champions. His Gold Medal Training Camps are recognized as some of the most successful wrestling camps in the nation, helping athletes refine their technique, build mental toughness, and reach their full potential. Thousands of his wrestlers have gone on to win State and National Championships. 10+ have made it to the Olympics, including Zain Retherford, a key coach at camp.

2010s

Expanding Reach

Ken Chertow and Anthony Robles commentating for the Pac12 wrestling championship.

Clinician & Broadcaster

Ken shares his expertise as a broadcast analyst for the Pac-12 Network and Big Ten Network (BTN), leads clinics across the country, and has authored ‘Wrestling: A Commitment to Excellence,’ a motivational guide to success in wrestling and life.

Present

Leading Today