WEIGHT: 141 lbs.
CLASS: Junior
HOMETOWN: Claysburg, Pa.
HIGH SCHOOL: Claysburg-Kimmel
2004-2005 Overview
Thad looks to rebound from an injury-plagued 2003-04 season when he moves up to the 141-lb. weight class. Thad is a natural wrestler who has ice running through his veins. He is what a champion is made of.
Freshman Season (2001-2002)
Took a red-shirt
Red-Shirt Freshman Season (2002-2003)
Thad made an immediate impact by placing fifth at the NCAA National Tournament and becoming an All-American in his first year of collegiate wrestling…placed third at East Regional Tournament…named Fourth Team All-Rookie in all Divisions by Amateur Wrestling News… recorded 25-9 overall record and 13-3 dual meet record…led team with 17 pins.
Sophomore Season (2003-2004)
Thad posted an impressive 16-2 overall record and an 11-2 dual meet record despite battling injuries that cut his season short…of his 16 wins, five were by fall, seven by decision, three by major decision and one by default…won championship at West Virginia Open.
High School
Four-year letterman…Three-time PA State place winner (2nd, 3rd, 5th)…three-time District Champion and two-time Regional Champion…Senior season record of 35-2 and overall record of 132-15 with 75 falls…ranks fifth all-time in District VI with 132 wins…placed eighth in High School National Tournament.
Personal
Born Feb. 15, 1983…majoring in Geography…two-year letterman in football…Outstanding Senior Male Athlete in High School…son of Bryan and Lori Benton of Claysburg, Pa.
