ESCAPE THE ROCK WRESTLING TOURNAMENT-JANUARY 17 & 18, 2026 - COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Jimmy Vollrath
This year’s Escape the Rock Tournament is dedicated to the memory of Jimmy Vollrath, who passed away on December 17th of this past year, after an 8 month battle with cancer, at the very young age of 26. He was an outstanding young man and one of wrestling’s greatest ambassadors.
At a young age, Jimmy followed in the footsteps of his father Bill, and his older brothers Billy and Robbie, in the Vollrath family sport of wrestling. His hard work and gritty determination led him to an outstanding high school career at Council Rock South, where he became a 2X PIAA State Qualifier, a PIAA State Place winner, as well as a 2009 Escape the Rock Champion. Jimmy continued his wrestling at his dad’s alma mater Penn State, where he won 72 matches and helped the Nittany Lions win three Big Ten titles and three National Championships.
Those accolades only scratch the surface of what this young man was all about. A wrestler’s creed is hard work, sacrifice, accountability and leadership. Jimmy embodied all of those characteristics and then some. His work ethic both on and off the mat are legendary as both a Golden Hawk and a Nittany Lion.
His friendship was a friendship for life, no matter who you were or what your background was. Never one to sit back and let someone else do the work, Jimmy always chose to be in front, leading by example, helping those who lagged behind and taking accountability for any mistakes that might have been made along the way. This was a small part of who Jimmy was.
Jim was a huge family guy, raised by parents Bill and Emilie, along with his brothers and two sisters, Jeanine and Chrissy, who all have a tremendous amount of faith and extreme loyalty to each other. He was, in short, a mountain of a man in life with his warm smile and his mischievous nature, who could easily squeeze the breath out of you but would rather give you a warm hug, along with a cheery greeting.
Jimmy always carried the fight to his opponent on the mat and he did the same with his illness. We may not have seen him have his hand raised in victory over this terrible disease but rest assured he is standing in victory, his hand raised in heaven, as he no doubt encourages us all to live life to its fullest.