SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-4-21 through 3-4-21

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

... and influenced the SCMAT record book

In mid-2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down many sports and kept everyone in their home, a SC wrestling coach sent a 10 for 10 challenge out on Facebook. The challenge was "One photo a day of an athlete you love (current or retired) for 10 days. No explanations or no captions."

I took the challenge and decided I would cover 10 wrestlers from South Carolina that inspired me (and our state), as well as influencing the SCMAT record book.

Since many SCMAT fans did not see this 10 for 10 series on Facebook, I am going to share, repost and enhance it here. Instead of posting one per day, I will share this over 30 days - approximately one wrestler every 3 days until the State Tournament.

And just like my Facebook 10 for 10 series, I struggle to post just a photo with no explanations or captions. For me, there are stories that go with every image. Most of the time I will have a video or a few articles worth reading.

Before I start with the first day, I have to share a great quote from Mark Betterson's book, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, since this is so pertinent to this Exclusive article. Batterson wrote, "Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn't chase." In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day is inspired by one of the most obscure yet courageous acts recorded in history, twenty-six centuries ago --- "Benaiah chased a lion down into a pit. Then, despite the snow and slippery ground, he caught the lion and killed it". You may be thinking, what does this have to do with the 10 for 10 series? I believe there is a little bit of Benaiah in everyone you will read about in this series. The 10 wrestlers being featured chased something really BIG ... this gives SCMAT a chance to share their courageous pursuits recorded in our wrestling history.

Let's get the 10 for 10 series rolling ...

SCMAT Exclusive - Day 1 - Dan Wirnsberger
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 2 - Shelton Benjamin
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 3 - Lamar Thompson
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 4 - Ben Connell
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 5 - Sammie "The Bull" Henson
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 6 - Tom Borrelli
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 7 - Brittany Delgado and Brieana Delgado
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 8 - Isaac "Ike" Anderson
SCMAT Exclusive - Day 9 - Clay Walker

Day #10 - T.J. Dudley

This is TJ Dudley's 2017 NCAA 3rd place match - with a pin over Sammy Brooks (Iowa)

I have to add a few collegiate accomplishments first for Irmo wrestler TJ Dudley, a three-time NCAA D1 All-American at Nebraska 2014-2017 (3rd, 2nd, 8th, Qualifier), who became the most accomplished D1 wrestler out of SC. TJ Dudley surpassed Greer wrestler Dan Wirnsberger's NCAA placements at Michigan State 1992-1995 (2nd, 8th, 4th, non-Qualifier). One of TJ's recent big accomplishments was winning the 2019 Dave Schultz Memorial International.

TJ Dudley bio at Nebraska Wrestling

Video - TJ Dudley winning 3rd place match at 2017 NCAA Wrestling Championships

Video - TJ Dudley proud of his South Carolina wrestling roots

From his days at Irmo High School, TJ Dudley was a four-time NHSCA High School Nationals All-American, including winning the Championships as a Senior and Junior. He is the only wrestler from SC to be honored as a Wrestling USA Magazine "Dream Team" High School Senior All-American, the highest recognition for each weight class. Dudley is one of only two SC wrestlers to be a Gold All-American at the Disney Duals (AAU Scholastic Nationals), with Clay Walker being the other.

T.J. was a three time State Champion while wrestling at Irmo High School.
T.J. Dudley - Irmo (2012 195 1st, 2011 189 1st, 2010 171 1st, 2009 171 4th - 4A)
T.J. was a 2011 Gold All-American at Disney Duals (AAU Scholastic Nationals)
T.J. was a 2012 Dream Team All-American as recognized by Wrestling USA Magazine.
T.J. was a four-time NHSCA All-American, including being a 2x NHSCA National Champion - his Senior and Junior years

Photo - TJ Dudley 2011 Super 32 winner at 182 lbs

Photo - Wrestling USA Magazine Dream Team

Photo - NHSCA Senior Nationals photo with Coach Kyle Kimrey

Photo - TJ Dudley National Champion 2012

Video of TJ Dudley winning NHSCA Senior Nationals

As Dudley shared with the The Daily Nebraskan back in 2013, on how he came to wrestling in a different way: "It's a funny story actually," Dudley said, chuckling to himself. "I was playing volleyball in eighth grade for gym class. I was throwing the ball up and catching it and then I'd hit it and run across the gym as fast as I can and hit it. I was just kind of doing my own thing, and this guy comes up to me and says, 'You look like you would be a great athlete; come try out for wrestling.' I had never wrestled before and I was thinking, 'What even is that?' But I came out on Nov. 5 and I fell in love with it."

The SCMAT wrestling recordbooks were significantly expanded with TJ Dudley's accomplishments and he continues to bring visibility and accolades to South Carolina wrestling!

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