Simon Roberts
At the 1956 NCAA tournament Simon Roberts broke new ground in the college wrestling world.
As a junior, competing at the 147-pound weight class for the University of Iowa, Roberts became the first black wrestler to ever win an NCAA title. Entering the tournament seeded sixth, Roberts upset the second- and fourth-seeded wrestlers on his way to a hard-fought championship victory.
A native of Davenport, Iowa, Roberts was also the first black wrestler to win an individual state title in Iowa. He was a state champion in 1954 at 133 pounds.
He is retired from a long career in education and lives in Los Angeles.
Awards:
|
Year
2007
|
Award
Glen Brand Inductee
|
Chapter/Region
National
|
All American Awards:
|
Season
1957
|
School
Iowa
|
Tournament
Division I
|
Weight
147
|
Place
1
|
College Season Records:
|
Season
1958
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Senior
|
Bouts
16
|
Wins
13
|
Losses
2
|
Ties
1
|
Falls
1
|
Win PCT.
81.25
|
Place
DNP
|
|
Season
1957
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Junior
|
Bouts
15
|
Wins
13
|
Losses
1
|
Ties
1
|
Falls
0
|
Win PCT.
86.67
|
Place
1st
|
|
Season
1956
|
School
Iowa
|
Class
Sophomore
|
Bouts
9
|
Wins
6
|
Losses
3
|
Ties
0
|
Falls
0
|
Win PCT.
66.67
|
Place
DNP
|
|
Season
Career
|
Bouts
40
|
Wins
32
|
Losses
6
|
Ties
2
|
Falls
1
|
Win PCT.
80
|
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