University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

            Mr. Shad Benton will go down in history as one of the top wrestlers the Pitt-Johnstown program has produced after posting a 101-9 overall record, winning three NCAA regional titles, earning All-America honors in each of three seasons, and winning a NCAA Division II National Championship in at 157 lbs. in 2002.
            An East Freedom, Pa. native and Central High School graduate, Mr. Benton transferred to Pitt-Johnstown in 1999 after one season at Penn State.  He made an immediate impact by winning his first of three regional titles an becoming an All-American with a seventh-place finish at the 2000 national tournament.  His efforts helped the Mountain Cats win their ninth consecutive regional crown and secure a fifth-place national finish.
            One year later, Mr. Benton won his second regional championship and finished third at the NCAA National Tournament to help Pitt-Johnstown claim another regional championship, before reaching the peak of success in 2001-02.
            That season, Mr. Benton won a championship at the Division I-dominated Oklahoma Gold Classic and placed fifth at the Midwest Classic.  He continued to shine in the post season by earning another regional crown and becoming Pitt-Johnstown’s seventh individual national champion with a 6-1 decision victory over North Dakota State’s Paul Carlson in the title bout at 157 lbs.  He joined fellow Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Famer Brandon Newill (125 lbs.) in winning national championships in 2002 and leading the Mountain Cats to a sixth-place finish at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
            Mr. Benton still holds Pitt-Johnstown records at 157 lbs. for Wins in a Regular Season (38), Wins in a Season (46), and Pins in a Season (14).
            His 101-9 career record ranks 24^th on the Mountain Cat All-Time Wins List, while his .918 winning percentage stands fourth all-time on the Pitt-Johnstown Winning Percentage List.
            Mr. Benton earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education at Pitt-Johnstown in 2002 and has been a Social Studies teacher for the last 20 years.  He is currently teaching at his alma mater, Central High School in Martinsburg.
            Along with his professional career as a teacher, Mr. Benton also serves as an assist coach for Head Coach Pat Pecora on the Mountain Cat wrestling staff.  He is an integral part of Pitt-Johnstown’s recruiting process and assists with the day-to-day operations with the program.
            Mr. Benton, his wife, Tara, and four children, Noah, Elijah, Jacob, and Madeline currently reside in Hollidaysburg, Pa.
            “Being inducted into the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics Hall of Fame is a great honor,” Mr. Benton said.  Being a student-athlete at Pitt-Johnstown was undoubtedly one of the most positive experiences in my life.”