SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-9-21

10 wrestlers from South Carolina that inspired our state ...

... and influenced the SCMAT record book

Day #2 - Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin was a two time State Champion while wrestling at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. Get to know Benjamin better in these articles and video, another inspiration for SC wrestling and in our recordbooks!

Shelton Benjamin bio at Wikipedia

On Sunday January 18, 1998 in Iowa City, Iowa a South Carolina wrestler, Shelton Benjamin, stunned the college wrestling world with a pin over Iowa's HWT, Wes Hand, to secure a come from behind 18-17 victory giving the NCAA National Duals title to the Minnesota Gophers.

"We got into a scramble and he was coming at me like a bull and just walked into a lateral drop," said Benjamin

2002 NCAA Nationals Duals Championship Match
Minnesota 18, Iowa 17
118 - Eric Juergens (Iowa) maj. dec. Brett Lawrence, 14-5.
126 - Doug Schwab (Iowa) dec. Pat Connors, 9-5.
134 - Mark Ironside (Iowa) maj. dec. Troy Marr, 20-7.
142 - Jason Davis (MN) dec. Jeff McGinniss, 3-1 (OT).
150 - Chad Kraft (MN) dec. Kasey Gilliss, 8-3.
158 - Josh Holiday (MN) dec. Ben Uker, 9-7.
167 - Joe Williams (Iowa) dec. Zac Taylor, 5-3.
177 - Brandon Eggum (MN) dec. Paul Jenn, 7-3.
190 - Lee Fullhart (Iowa) dec. Tim Hartung, 7-6 (2 OT).
Hwt - Shelton Benjamin (MN) pinned Wes Hand, 2:16.

Video of Shelton Benjamin pinning Wes Hand

Article on Minnesota's upset win over Iowa, with Benjamin's pin

SCMAT's 2005 Article - Where are they now? Shelton Benjamin

Mike Mooneyham had a great 4 part series on Shelton Benjamin that is below:
A Better Road for Benjamin
Benjamin's Rise to the Top
Mentor Brought out Best in Benjamin
Benjamin Beat the Odds

These historical articles at SCMAT will hopefully provide accurate facts though we may always have missed some data at some point. If you notice a correction, addition or just want to comment please send a reply to scmat@hotmail.com

thanks,

Mark Buford