In the future, when the name Jared Frayer is mentioned he wants the first thing people to think of is wrestling and second is champion. He would like to be known on a first name basis with the likes of the big fish in the wrestling ocean like Rulon or Cael.

Jared Frayer seems to be swimming in a pond full of big fish. In Men's freestyle, the 66 kg/145.5 weight class has perhaps the deepest level of competition. It is anyone's guess as to who will come out on top with a such high level of competition.

Jamill Kelly,  Chris Bono, Bill Zadick are ranked No. 1,2,3 respectively and have all represented the USA at the world level. However, Frayer is not intimidated by any of them. He is ranked No. 5 in the U.S. currently, but according to Frayer all his opponents in his are beatable. Needless to say, Frayer has his work cut out for him.

Beides the top three wrestlers in freestyle currently, no one should count out any of the wrestlers in this weight class. It is stacked from top to bottom with competitors including: stand out Eric Larkin, who won the 2004 Dave Schultz International, Reggie Wright who was ranked No. 3 on Team USA in 2003, TJ Williams who placed second at 2004 Dave Schultz International, Tony Davis, who previously has placed at Nationals, and Doug Schwab, a NCAA Champion and placed at the World Team Trials. These wrestlers are also training hard to contend for national and Olympic medals.

Although Frayer has not had the international success similar to the top three U.S. National team members in his weight class, he has proven that he can beat them.  What enables Jared to win tough matches is his ability to score points quick and in any position.

"I like to score points quick and not let it be a close match. I am dangerous in the par terre position," said Frayer. "I can score from a variety of positions but, my best chances of scoring come when I am on top."

In 2003, Frayer won three international tournaments: the Manitoba Open, the Dave Schultz International, and NYAC Christmas International. In these tournaments Frayer has beaten some very elite wrestlers including Bono (a 2003 U.S. Nationals Champion, and 2002 World Team Trials Champion), and Eric Larkin, (the 2004 Dave Schultz Champion, 2003 NCAA Div. I Champion), in the NYAC Christmas International. He has also beaten Cary Kolat, a 2000 Olympian and two-time World medalist, and Doug Schwab, whom Frayer beat in the Championship of the 2003 Dave Schultz Memorial International.

"I beat my all-time hero, Cary Kolat, and who I feel is the best American wrestler ever. It was a pretty big victory for me. I do feel, however, that if I had to wrestle him again I could beat him again," said Frayer.

Despite not participating in the Dave Schultz Memorial International because of an infection on his leg, (which has now cleared up),  Frayer spent that time preparing himself in other ways for his upcoming competitions.

"My whole plan was to wrestle at the Schultz, defend my title, and be able to compete again against Larkin and the rest of the competition. However, due to that infection, I ended up scouting my opponents instead," said Frayer.

His ultimate goal this year is to be an Olympic Champion, but he knows in order to achieve it he must attain his short-term goals of winning the U.S. Nationals and the Olympic Trials. Frayer is confident going into the preparation for the U.S. Nationals and the Olympic Trials.

"The wins in December against Eric Larkin and Cary Kolat really boosted my confidence," said Frayer. "Knowing that Larkin wrestled great last weekend and I have beaten him puts me in a good position going into Nationals."

Since Frayer started wrestling he has had a very decorated career. Starting at a young age with the help of his father, Frayer set a Florida high school record with 140 career wins. He was also a high school state champion three consecutive years in 1995-1997. While in college at the University of Oklahoma he was a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier and in 2001 was the NCAA runner-up.

Frayer also won the Wade Schalles Award as the nation's top pinner under his belt. He is currently second on Oklahoma's all-time pins list and third on the all-time wins list. Frayer hopes to take these successes to the next level to be able to stay on top and win.

Lately, Frayer has been working with Kendall Cross to make adjustments in his wrestling and focusing on more technique issues and strategies. He is also working out with college athletes as an assistant coach at Harvard University. Frayer trains with Jesse Jentzen, ranked No. 1 in Div. I at 149 lbs. Presently, he says, he is in the best situation possible to become a champion.

The rest of his athletes call him "Frayer. " Admittingly he enjoys the sound of that and hopes one day the rest of the world will call him that too. Or even better, they would know who he is just from the name Jared.

For more information on Jared Frayer, visit his website at www.jaredfrayer.com.