Senior Jake Zemsky announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic career at Stevens Institute of Technology on Oct. 16 via Instagram.
For Zemsky, the decision to attend Stevens was about more than just wrestling. “The location and education are what truly attracted me to Stevens,” he said. “The wrestling was just a great add-on to it with great coaches and great teammates.”
Zemsky’s success story is one built over years of hard work and gradual growth. He began wrestling at the Yale Street Wrestling Club under coach Donnie Defelippis, who has witnessed his evolution firsthand. “Jake has developed tremendously over the years,” Defelippis said. “We have been working with him since he was in elementary school. He was not a standout youth wrestler, but he always had potential. Once he got to high school, he grew into a beast.”
Defelippis highlighted Zemsky’s combination of power, athleticism and relentless dedication as what separates him from others. “His strength, natural ability and work ethic have made him one of the best high school wrestlers in the state,” Defelippis added. “He’s not only committed to the sport but also to the program, which is why we named him the captain of the Yale Street Wrestling Club. He is only the third captain in program history.”
At Westfield, Zemsky has become a cornerstone of the wrestling program under head coach Glen Kurz. Kurz, who has led the Blue Devils for nearly three decades, praised Zemsky’s steady development and maturity. “Jake came in as a freshman with a lot of potential. He was strong, athletic and worked hard,” Kurz said. “We thought he could be a special wrestler here, but we also knew that having potential and fulfilling it are two different things.”
Kurz explained that Zemsky’s growth came through refining his style, improving technique and learning how to perform under pressure. Those efforts paid off last season when Zemsky became the third junior in Kurz’s 27 years as coach to place at the state tournament. “This year, the expectations are for him to place even higher,” Kurz said. “He’s a great role model for his teammates. He challenges himself, uses his practice time well and helps make everyone on the team feel included. Stevens is getting a good wrestler and a good person.”
For Zemsky, that state medal remains a defining moment of his career. “My most memorable moment was placing at the state tournament last season and seeing all my teammates there to support me,” he said.
Zemsky also credits the demanding environment at Westfield for preparing him for the next level. “Westfield wrestling has done a great job getting me better on the mat and pushing me past my limits,” he said. “Coach Kurz’s practices make me ready for the hard practices I’ll be doing at the next level.”
Known for his strength and physicality, Zemsky takes pride in his ability to outmuscle opponents. “What made me stand out was my strength for the weight class,” he said. “Ninety-nine percent of the kids that I wrestle, I’m stronger than, and I use that to my advantage.”
As he prepares to transition to college wrestling, Zemsky leaves behind a lasting legacy at both Yale Street and Westfield—a testament to years of commitment, growth and leadership. Stevens Institute isn’t just gaining a top-tier athlete—it’s gaining a competitor whose journey has embodied what hard work and passion can achieve.
