Benton’s Peyton Smith to continue wrestling career at South Carolina-based Coker College

By Jim Muir

Benton’s Peyton Smith inked his name Thursday to a national letter-of-intent to wrestle at the collegiate level, providing an exclamation point to a record-setting high school wrestling career.

Smith signed to attend Coker College, a Division II private liberal arts college, located in Hartsville, South Carolina. Coker College competes in the tough South Atlantic Conference.

Benton’s Peyton Smith signed a national letter-of-intent on Thursday to continue his wrestling career at Coker College, in Hartsville, South Carolina. Pictured at the signing are (seated) Smith’s parents, Denny and Marya Smith and (back row l-r) Benton assistant wrestling coach Phil McMahon, Benton athletic director Ryan Miller and Benton head wrestling coach Duane Bean.

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Smith, who broke the all-time win record at Benton High School where he compiled a stellar 154-16 record during his four years of varsity wrestling, called the moment “a dream come true.”

“I am very, very excited,” Smith said. “Since I was a little boy I have always dreamed of wrestling at the college level. I worked very hard and it paid off and gave me an opportunity to wrestle beyond high school.”

Smith is a two-time All-State wrestler and a three-time state qualifier. He compiled a 42-5 mark as a junior and finished third in the IHSA Class A state meet in 2015 and went 43-5 his senior year and finished fourth at the Class A state meet in Champaign.

Benton wrestling coach Duane Bean, who was on hand for the signing, said he is certain Smith with continue his wrestling success at the college level.

“Peyton has the mental toughness and the competitive attitude to compete, and compete very well at the next level,” said Bean. “His work ethic is off the charts and he worked very hard to accomplish this goal. We are very proud of him.”