Jeff Knupp of Walsh Jesuit High School graduated with a 4.367 GPA and was second in a senior class of 200. He was a member of the National Honor Society, a National Merit Finalist, the recipient of the Rensselaer Medal and the Purdue Science Award. His academic accomplishments include taking Calculus II at the University of Akron while still in high school, and receiving an A.

Knupp is a three-time state champion, with a record of 126-10, including 51 falls and 19 tech falls, including winning his last 93 high school matches. He was also a Cadet National Freestyle Champion. Knupp was named Sports Illustrated High School Athlete of the Month for March, 1997, and was selected to wrestle for the US All Star Teams at Dapper Dan Wrestling Classic and at Wrestling USA Dream Team Classic. He was also selected as Wrestler of the Year on Cleveland Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal All-Star Teams and was named to Wrestling USA Magazine's "Dream Team".

Knupp was also active in his community volunteering as a Member of Walsh Jesuit High School Chapter of S.A.D.D., serving as a Peer tutor (school sponsored tutoring program), and Rector (spiritual leader) for Kairos (school-sponsored religious retreat for juniors and seniors). He also gave one week of service to Appalachia Service Trip, a Jesuit Mission in Frenchville, Pennsylvania.