Lake Gibson High wrestling coach Daniel Walker is officially a Hall of Famer.
Walker is a 2021 inductee into the Florida chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He received the honor on Saturday during the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships in Kissimmee.
Walker, 43, became the head coach at Lake Gibson during the 2001-02 school year. His standout career includes three FHSAA team state championships, 17 Coach of the Year awards, two Disney Duals tournament championships, and an Adidas Nationals title.
Under Walker’s tenure, the LGHS wrestling program has also produced numerous individual state champions and medalists. A graduate of Auburndale High, Walker recently had this to say about his career working with student-athletes:
“The relationships and memories are what I truly cherish as a coach,” he said. “Titles are good, but knowing they will be successful adults fills me with joy.”