Jeff Adamson
Athlete (2023)
Wrestling
In the annals of Saskatchewan wrestling, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Jeff Adamson. His ascent to the top of the podium began in his formative years at Holy Cross High school, where, in Grade 9, he claimed 3 provincial titles in 4 years.
With each passing year, Adamson's dominance grew. He claimed 8 medals, 5 gold and 3 silver at age group nationals and proudly represented the Saskatoon Wrestling Club and Team Canada at the Jr Worlds where he placed 7th.
Despite being heavily recruited, Adamson chose to stay in Saskatoon and represent his hometown and the University of Saskatchewan. His tenure at the U of S was a highlight reel of accolades, winning 2 golds and 2 silvers at Canada West Championships and 2 golds and 2 bronzes at the CIS national championships. Adamson went undefeated in his last two seasons and didn’t concede a single point in his final season. His achievements in university wrestling were recognized over the years by his peers in Jeff receiving numerous academic, community service and most outstanding athlete awards nationally and at the U of S.
Despite this historic university career, Adamson’s passion to represent our city extended beyond Canada. Driven to reach new heights, Adamson climbed to the top of the senior national podium and earned his spots on the 2011 Pan American Games and Senior World championship teams. In the late summer heat of Mexico, Adamson achieved what few have and brought a Pan American Games bronze medal home to Saskatoon.
To prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games qualification process, Adamson would often travel to far flung parts of the world.
“He would often be gone for weeks or months at a time,” said Huskies teammate and now head coach Daniel Olver. “When he returned he would share what he learned with us and make the room better. Jeff really set the tone in the room.”
At the 2011 Canadian Olympic trials in Winnipeg, Adamson won a best-of-three series against 2008 Olympian Travis Cross of B.C., an opponent he had never beaten. Adamson continued his Olympic bid with competitions in Florida, China and Finland. Adamson placed within one match of representing Canada at the Olympics and was brought to the London Games anyway to help teammate and medal hopeful Matt Gentry.
Wrestling, for Adamson, was more than a solitary pursuit; it was a shared passion. He founded the Mike Adamson Memorial Endowment in honour and memory of his late cousin, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the sport and to the community. Since 2009, this scholarship has supported student-athletes who embody Mike Adamson's spirit and dedication to the Saskatoon wrestling family.
Since retiring from wrestling, Adamson has kept the same passion that made him successful in wrestling to his entrepreneurial pursuits and is the co-founder of SkipTheDishes and Neo Financial, both companies with values over $1bn.