Lewis Named to Hall of Fame

The Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame inducted Owls Head Coach Chris Lewis into the Lifetime Service category during a ceremony Saturday, August 26.
Lewis holds a lifetime record of 561-183, has coached seven USAW National All-Americans, and three USAW High School National Champions. He has led 26 wrestlers to the Tennessee state championships – including Ian McGehee ’23 – and coached 211 state medalists. United States World wrestler Nick Marable benefitted from Lewis’ tutelage on his way to medaling in two separate wrestling World Cups. 

Lewis is the recipient of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Tennessee Coach of the Year award, the National Federation of State High School Association’s Coach of the Year honor, All-Metro Co-Coach of the Year, and The Commercial Appeal’s Best of Preps Coach of the Year designation.

The newest member of the Hall of Fame took time to thank the wrestlers, assistant coaches, and others who have helped the programs he has led in the last 33 years. “It’s been a heck of a ride. We’ve had hurdles to overcome. … It’s all about you and what you did. You are the ones that made this happen. You are the ones who put in all the work. You are the ones who did everything you were supposed to do. You are the ones who committed.”

Lewis went on to thank MUS and Director of Athletics Bobby Alston. A contingent of former and current wrestlers and parents made the trip to the induction ceremony. 

Lewis said he felt honored to be in the Hall of Fame with wrestling legends he has looked up to. “I don’t feel like I belong up here,” Lewis said. “I’m honored by all the coaches who worked with me over the years. I’m floored by the parents and wrestlers who have shown up and come all this way. It means the world. It really does.”
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