1. Overview
Coleman Scott is an American wrestler and coach, born on April 19, 1986. He is best known for winning a bronze medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In recognition of his significant contributions to the sport, Scott was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2024.
2. Early life and background
Coleman Scott was born on April 19, 1986, in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, United States.
3. High school career
Scott attended Waynesburg Central High School in Pennsylvania, where he established an impressive high school wrestling record of 156 wins and 12 losses. During his high school career, he achieved four WPIAL championships and secured three PIAA state championships. His exceptional performance in 2004 earned him the Junior Schalles Award, an honor recognizing the top high school pinner.
4. Collegiate career
Coleman Scott continued his wrestling career at Oklahoma State University, competing for the Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestling team. As a collegiate wrestler, he achieved All-American status four times. In 2008, he became the NCAA Champion in the 133 lb (133 lb) weight class. His collegiate achievements also include multiple successes at the Big 12 Championships: he won gold medals in 2005 at 125 lb (125 lb) and in 2007 at 133 lb (133 lb), a silver medal in 2006 at 125 lb (125 lb), and a bronze medal in 2008 at 133 lb (133 lb).
5. International career
Coleman Scott's international wrestling career is marked by his participation in various prestigious competitions, most notably the 2012 Olympic Games, where he earned a bronze medal. He also achieved success in other significant tournaments, including the World Cup and Pan American Championships.
5.1. 2012 Olympic Games
Scott's path to the 2012 Summer Olympics was unique. After winning the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials, he did not automatically secure an Olympic bid because the United States had not yet qualified a spot in the 132 lb (60 kg) freestyle category. Due to the proximity of the qualification tournaments to the trials, two other wrestlers were initially selected to attempt to qualify the U.S. at that weight. Once the U.S. qualified, a special best-of-three Championship Series was arranged at Times Square in New York City, allowing the trials winner to compete against the wrestlers who had secured the qualification. In this series, Scott defeated Reece Humphrey in the semi-final. He then went on to defeat Shawn Bunch by a score of 2 to 1 in the final match of the special Championship Series, earning him the 132 lb (60 kg) spot on the U.S. Olympic Team.
At the 2012 London Olympics, competing in the men's freestyle 132 lb (60 kg) event, Scott began his campaign by defeating Lee Seung-Chul and Malkhaz Zarkua. He then faced Toghrul Asgarov, who would eventually become the Olympic champion, and lost. In the repechage round, Scott successfully competed for the bronze medal, ultimately defeating Kenichi Yumoto to secure his Olympic bronze.
5.2. Other international competitions
Beyond his Olympic success, Coleman Scott achieved notable results in other international wrestling competitions. In 2010, he earned a bronze medal at the Pan American Championships in Monterrey, competing in the 132 lb (60 kg) category. He later secured a silver medal as part of the U.S. team at the 2015 Wrestling World Cup held in Los Angeles. His international career also includes a gold medal win at the 2016 Pan American Championships in Frisco, where he competed in the 134 lb (61 kg) event.
6. Coaching career
Following his competitive wrestling career, Coleman Scott transitioned into coaching. In 2015, after serving one year as an assistant coach, he was appointed head coach of the UNC-Chapel Hill wrestling program. His coaching journey continued, and in 2023, he returned to his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, to serve as the associate head coach for their wrestling program.
7. Recognition and legacy
Coleman Scott's significant contributions to the sport of wrestling have been formally recognized with his induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2024. This honor acknowledges his lasting impact on wrestling, both through his achievements as a competitor and his subsequent work as a coach.