Jonathan Loew '24 And His Cornell Wrestling Journey

ITHACA, N.Y. -- The microcosm of Jonathan Loew’s wrestling career at Cornell University happened in January of the Big Red’s 2021-22 season. Adversity struck, and he had to find a way to fight back. 

Loew, in Cornell’s 18-15 road loss to Lehigh on Jan. 8, fell 7-6 by decision to AJ Burkhart. In his mind, he cost the Big Red a victory that night.

“I felt like I blew it,” Loew said. “But I am proud of the way I responded.” 

A resilient Loew proceeded to go on the best run of his career, winning his next 13 matches, including five against nationally ranked opponents. He claimed the 184-pound title at the EIWA Championships to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. 

Since then, Loew has dealt with much worse adversity than dropping a heartbreaking match. But he can lean on the lessons he learned through those experiences as he moves forward with his life without being able to step on the mat for a match again. 

Loew, who missed most of last season with a shoulder injury, received devastating news before this season began. Another shoulder injury caused a severed artery in that area, which decreased blood flow to his arm. Doctors soon after put a stent in and told Loew his wrestling career was over. 

“It was really tough for me and my family to hear,” Loew, a senior, said. “You sacrifice so much of your life and do all the right things, then it just doesn’t go your way. But we also did a lot of reflecting on my career as a whole.”

Loew experienced several emotions as he processed the sudden finality. There was anger and sadness. He lost two seasons due to severe injuries and didn’t have a 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also cut the 2019-20 season short. Loew envisioned much more for himself than one appearance at the NCAA Championships. 

There was also plenty of pride and gratefulness for all he experienced and accomplished while wearing a Cornell singlet. He compiled an impressive resume in a relatively short period. Loew went 26-13 as a freshman while wrestling at 184 and 197 pounds, qualified for the NCAA Championships and earned second-team All-Ivy League honors. Two seasons later, the Wantagh, N.Y., native led Cornell with 30 wins (and lost just seven times), finished second on the team with 14 ranked wins and earned All-American status at the NCAA Championships. 

“Wrestling there is every wrestler’s dream. It’s like being a modern-day gladiator,” Loew, a unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection that year, said. “I am glad that I got the opportunity and made All-American status when I had my one shot.

“If there’s anything I’ve learned from all of this, it's to not waste opportunities because you never know what the circumstances are, if a global pandemic is going to shut everything down or if you’re going to have some serious injury.” 

Loew’s story at Cornell hasn’t ended yet. He has transitioned into a student-coach role, working alongside Mike Grey ‘11, The David Dunlop Head Coach of Wrestling, and his staff. He takes pride in sharing his experiences with Cornell’s younger wrestlers. 

“I talked to coach (Grey), and I said, ‘I am not competing anymore, but I still want to provide some value to the team,’” Loew said. “I don’t want to feel like I lost the year completely -- I want to help out in any way I can.

“I am able to say, ‘Hey, I have gone through this. I have taken some tough losses. You have to keep your head up and move on to the next one.’” 

No example, of course, is better than his junior year. A tough loss in the middle of the season spurred a lengthy win streak and an 8th-place finish at the NCAA Championships, earning him the honor of his career. 

“I’d hope to feel that at some other point in my life,” Loew said. 

Perhaps that feeling returns for Loew in a different role this season. There are lofty goals he’d like to help the Big Red accomplish. 

“We’re still trying to win a national title,” Loew said. “Even if I don’t accomplish my individual goals, I think it would be fantastic to be a part of a great team and win a national title. That’s number one for me right now.”