Jeremy Walton has been a registered FHSAA official for the sport of wrestling as a member of SOA Wrestling serving Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties since the 2002-2003 season. His wrestling journey began in November 1992 as a sophomore at Pinellas Park High School where he began wrestling under Hall of Fame coach David Mauger. Immediately, a love for the sport was developed and a tenacious work ethic flourished to give him success on the mat.                                                                               

Jeremy was selected as the 2016 FHSAA Official of the Year. He also received the 2018 NFHS Florida Official of the Year award. However, the crowning honor was the 2019 NFHS National Distinguished Official of the Year award that is awarded to only one male and female official in all sports in the United States. Jeremy’s proficiency as a mat official earned him over 25 regional and 16 state championship assignments.                                    

Jeremy has served as the Head Wrestling Official for Florida since 2022. His responsibilities encompass training, evaluating, state series assignments, rules’ interpretations, and serving as the Head Official at all State Championships. He was also the president of his local officials’ association for six years prior to his time as Florida’s Head Official and was the association’s vice president and training officer for the seven years prior to his time as president. He consistently worked to bring innovative and successful leadership to facilitate a healthy organization which is well-respected in Florida, and has been the keynote presenter at several annual state rules clinics.                                 

Jeremy was born in Syracuse, New York, to Tony and Laurie Walton in 1977. His family moved to Pinellas County in Florida in 1979 where they have remained. Jeremy married his wife, Erin, in 2000, and they have two adult children, Devon and Claire. The family has many fond memories of traveling to events over the years watching him officiate.                                                                                                                               

Jeremy considers it a great privilege to be a high school wrestling official and to be involved in a sport he cherishes. After over two decades, he continues to humbly strive every year to be a top-level official who puts forth his best effort on the mat. Leading the state and his local officials’ association has also been a great source of pride as he intentionally seeks to equip the next generation of officials. The relationships built with officials, coaches, athletes, and others through his time on the mat has been the greatest joy to him.  Jeremy believes in treating everyone with respect through recognizing the inherent value, worth, importance, and dignity of the individual. This is displayed through his leadership and his efforts as a wrestling official.