SCMAT Exclusive Wrestling Article 2-4-21

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 ...

Day #1 - Dan Wirnsberger

Coach Dan Wirnsberger in the photo above

Dan Wirnsberger was a four time State Champion while wrestling at Greer High School. Get to know Wirnsberger better in these articles and video, he has been an inspiration for SC wrestling and his name is throughout our recordbooks!

Dan Wirnsberger bio at Bucknell

All the right moves Wirnsberger strives for perfection again

Bucknell's Wirnsberger coaches the Bison and his own kids

Dan Wirnsberger video from the 1990 NHSCA Senior Nationals

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