Virginia Tech wrestling coach Jared Frayer inducted in Florida Wrestling Hall of Fame

Virginia Tech associate head coach Jared Frayer was inducted into the Florida Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Frayer joined Virginia Tech six years ago after he was an assistant at Oklahoma, as well as a two-year stint as a sales representative for Stryker Spine in Tampa Bay. A Miami native, Frayer was a two-time All-American at Oklahoma as a wrestler and Big 12 Champion.

Virginia Tech Tony Robie released a statement on his colleague’s accomplishment.

“Congratulations to Coach Frayer and the entire Frayer family on his induction into the Florida Wrestling Hall of Fame,” Robie said in a statement. “What Jared has accomplished on the mat as a competitor and in the corner as a coach speaks for itself. What I have come to know in the last six years is that he is equally impressive as a husband, father and person. In large, because of his dedication and work-ethic, Jared has been a difference maker everywhere that he has been. The wrestling community in the state of Florida should be proud that one of the best in the business is a native Floridian.”

At Oklahoma, Frayer was 129-38 in his college career and was the NCAA runner-up at 149 pounds in 2002. He is a five-time US national team member and represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London in freestyle wrestling at 66 k.g.

But in Florida, he was a star prior to his college and coaching career. He set the state record for wins in a career and won three Florida state titles at Clearwater Countryside High.

Jared Frayer inducted into Florida Wrestling Hall of Fame

One of the top athletes Frayer ever coached was Mekhi Lewis. The 2019 national champion announced his return to the school for his final year this coming season.

Lewis’ return is a huge boost to the Virginia Tech lineup.

Lewis rose to superstardom in 2019 in Pittsburgh when he made a run to the NCAA finals and defeated two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph (Penn State) in the finals as a redshirt freshman.

Lewis went 22-3 last season and lost in the semifinals to Nebraska’s Mikey Labriola and eventually lost to Cornell’s Chris Foca in the third place match.

With Penn State’s Carter Starocci expected back this season for Penn State, Lewis is not the favorite to win it all at 174 pounds. But, he’s right there in contention.

Lewis had the extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver to return and decided to use it for one last ride.