Seth Duckworth
From OSU Sports Information
STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State wrestler Shelby Wilson will be inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024, the Hall of Fame announced today.
Wilson wrestled at Oklahoma State from 1957-1959 after winning three conference titles and suffering just three defeats while at Ponca City high school. As a Cowboy, Wilson’s first season was cut short due to injury, but he rallied to achieve a 34-2 record and earned two Big Eight titles. He punched his ticket to the NCAA finals in back-to-back seasons, but suffered losses in both matches.
Following his time in Stillwater, Wilson battled his way to clinch a spot on Team USA at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Competing in the shadowed ruins of Rome’s ancient Basilica, Wilson’s hard work was finally rewarded as he captured the gold medal with a victory over Soviet Vladimir Sinyavsky. He was Oklahoma State wrestling’s fifth Olympic gold medalist.
Wilson later spent 13 years as a high school and collegiate coach before founding and directing Stronghold Youth Foundation and becoming an ordained minister.
In 1982, Wilson was honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the Oklahoma State University Athletics Hall of Honor class of 2023, which was honored in September.
The 2024 Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame class will be formally inducted on August 5, 2024 at the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame’s Induction Ceremony at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The 2024 class also includes Steve Davis, Mike Metheny, Ryan Minor and Roy Williams, as well as fellow Oklahoma State student-athlete Patty McGraw-Coatney.
