2012 Olympic gold medalist Jake Varner is back in Bakersfield, with a busy weekend ahead.
Varner arrived at Meadows Field airport Wednesday night, with friends and family waiting.
Varner, a BHS graduate, won gold in London in freestyle wrestling. He has been making his way across the country with stops in Pennsylvania, Iowa and now Bakersfield to celebrate with those who helped make his dream become a reality.
"It means a lot. It is something I have been working for, for a long time, and it finally happened. It is awesome. It is surreal," said Varner. "It hasn't changed too much, just a different title to your name. We are just looking for things to do, but it has been fun."
Varner has plenty to do over the next two days. Friday night, he will do the coin toss before the BHS vs. Garces game.
On Saturday, there's a big ceremony at Mill Creek Park, with Mayor Harvey Hall and Congressman Kevin McCarthy both in attendance.
On Saturday afternoon, Varner will do a meet and great at the Rosedale Costco from 2 pm. to 4 p.m. Costco helped with a lot of his family's fundraising.
And, Saturday night, Varner will throw out the first pitch at the Blaze playoff game, at about 7 p.m.
