An incredibly successful NCAA Division I collegiate wrestler, Frank “The Answer” Edgar (’05) grappled for the Golden Eagles from 2001 through 2005 and put together an outstanding career. Edgar compiled a career record of 120-55 at 141-pounds, was a four-time NCAA National Qualifier and notched the 11th most wins at Clarion.
In his senior year (2005) Edgar was 40-9 overall, PSAC & EWL Champion, NCAA D-I Qualifier (2-2 at nationals) and sixth at Las Vegas. Edgar was voted the 2005 Clarion University Male Athlete of the Year. In 2004, he was 36-9 overall, PSAC champ, fifth at EWLs and an NCAA Qualifier. In 2003 he was 26-18 overall, an NCAA Qualifier and a placewinner at PSACs and EWLs. The team had a 9-8 dual meet record. A red-shirt in 2002, he was 18-19 in 2001, fourth at EWLs and PSACs and 1-2 at D-I Nationals – all under head coach Ken Nellis. The Eagles had an 11-3 dual meet record in 2001.
He was inducted into Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
(from Newsday.com)
There’s a determination ingrained in Edgar that not everyone possesses, be it in fighting or in life. It didn’t come about because of mixed martial arts, but it is the avenue in which the world bears witness it.
That inner drive probably always existed in Edgar. Ken Nellis, his wrestling coach at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, certainly saw it. Edgar was a four-time NCAA national qualifier at 141 pounds for Division I Clarion. He was 120-55 in his career at Clarion (2001-05).
“He wasn’t necessarily head and shoulders the best guy in our wrestling room,” Nellis said. “He was just a driven, tenacious worker in the practice room. He was of course a leader, and more of a leader by example, his work ethic. Whether it was training preseason, in running, he was always one of the top three guys. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s been successful even being the smallest guy.”
Edgar is the former UFC World Lightweight Champion and has a professional record of
23-6. As of May 13, 2019, he is #4 in the UFC Featherweight rankings. Frank is a native
of Toms River, N.J., and was a 2000 graduate of Toms River East High.
He and wife, Renee (Nappi), a 2004 Clarion University graduate, have three children:
sons Santino and Francesco and daughter Valentina.