SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-17-21

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

... and influenced the SCMAT record book

Day #3 - Lamar Thompson

In the photo above, Bobby Stephenson (Mauldin) wrestles against Lamar Thompson (Rock Hill) in the 145lbs Finals of the 1991 4A State Wrestling Tournament.

Lamar was a two time State Champion while wrestling at Rock Hill High School. He was also the eighth 4A wrestler in SC History, at that time in 1991, to become a 4x state placer.

Lamar Thompson - Rock Hill (1991 145 1st, 1990 145 1st, 1989 135 2nd, 1988 119 3rd - 4A)

Lamar was also a 1991 All-American as recognized by Amateur Wrestling News Magazine.

Lamar was the first South Carolina wrestler to win the NHSCA High School Senior Nationals. He wrestled his way to the National Championship in 1991 at 145 lbs. This was one year after Dan Wirnsberger (Greer) finished 2nd at NHSCA Nationals.

Since Lamar's NHSCA National Title, twelve other NHSCA Champions have been from SC. There is always a first to get things rolling, and Lamar was our state's first. Here is the list for all 13 NHSCA Championships from SC so far:

1991 145 1st Lamar Thompson (Rock Hill) - National Champion - NHSCA Senior Nationals
2000 275 1st Ben Connell (Lugoff-Elgin) - National Champion - NHSCA Senior Nationals
2011 125 1st Clay Walker (Eastside) - National Champion - NHSCA Freshman Nationals
2011 189 1st T.J. Dudley (Irmo) - National Champion - NHSCA Junior Nationals
2012 285 1st Gage Cervenka (Emerald) - National Champion - NHSCA Freshman Nationals
2012 126 1st Clay Walker (Eastside) - National Champion - NHSCA Sophomore Nationals
2012 195 1st T.J. Dudley (Irmo) - National Champion - NHSCA Senior Nationals
2013 285 1st Gage Cervenka (Emerald) - National Champion - NHSCA Sophomore Nationals
2013 132 1st Clay Walker (Eastside) - National Champion - NHSCA Junior Nationals
2014 138 1st Clay Walker (Eastside) - National Champion - NHSCA Senior Nationals
2016 195 1st Owen Trephan (Ashley Ridge) - National Champion - NHSCA Freshman Nationals
2017 220 1st Owen Trephan (Ashley Ridge) - National Champion - NHSCA Sophomore Nationals
2017 195 1st Eddie Smith (Belton-Honea Path) - National Champion - NHSCA Senior Nationals

Bobby Stephenson (Mauldin), in the photo above, was Lamar's 1991 4A State Final's opponent in the photo. Bobby is the father of the Stephenson brothers from Hillcrest (Walker '20 and Griffin '17).

This photo was from the first roll of film I ever took at a wrestling tournament, so I felt lucky to have the NHSCA National Champion amongst the 24 photos from that roll.

Lamar Thompson brought great recognition to the state of South Carolina becoming our first NHSCA National Champion!

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