SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-23-21

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

... and influenced the SCMAT record book

Day #5 - Sammie "The Bull" Henson

In the photo above, Sammie Henson celebrates after his 1994 NCAA Championship, his second title while at Clemson University.

Though Sammie did not wrestle in SC during high school, he did elevate Collegiate wrestling in SC probably more than any other! So, I have to include Sammie in my list of inspirations, with his SC legacy that still sees SC colleges expanding their wrestling programs.

Henson's SC collegiate wrestling influence, since his time in South Carolina (1992-1994), is a underlying driving force that is hard to overlook. Here is a list of South Carolina colleges that have had varsity wrestling programs and the years in existance (sorted by starting year)

The Citadel - 1948-present
Presbyterian College - 1948-1951
Furman University - 1964-1991
South Carolina State - 1971-1989
Clemson University - 1975-1995
Winthrop University - 1984-1985
Anderson University - 1992-2016
Newberry College - 2004-present
Limestone College - 2004-present
Spartanburg Methodist College - 2004-present
Coker University - 2013-present
Allen University - 2016-present
Lander University - 2019-present
Presbyterian College - 2019-present
Presbyterian College Women - 2019-present
Limestone College Women - 2019-present

NOTE - if SCMAT needs to make any updates to the above list please send details to scmat@hotmail.com

Henson started his collegiate wrestling career at The University of Missouri, where he was a All-American in 1991. He then transferred to Clemson University, where he became a two-time NCAA champion, finishing his career with a 71-0 record. He was named Clemson's Male Athlete of the Year in 1994 and was inducted into the Clemson Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000.

Henson went on to become one of the most celebrated wrestlers in the history of the United States, as he was one of just a few wrestlers in USA history to earn three world medals. In 1998, Henson became a world champion for Team USA at the World Wrestling Championships, in Tehran, Iran. He earned a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games at 55 kg (121 lbs.) in Sydney, Australia. Sammie then won the bronze medal at the 2006 World Wrestling Championships at 35 years of age. In all, Henson has won more than 15 freestyle titles at the international level.

Sammie Henson bio at Wikipedia

Great Video - Sammie Henson reflections on his collegiate wrestling days in SC

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