Competing for his father Will Short at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Jake Short was a four-time Minnesota state wrestling champion and placed five times in his six-year varsity career.

He had a 237-20 high school record, capping his high school career with an 82-match winning streak. He was also a two-time junior national finalist and a cadet freestyle national champion in youth amateur wrestling.

Short also competed in football and tennis at Simley.