1983 Hall of Fame Inductee
When Ben returned to BYU as an assistant wrestling coach, he had a reunion with his former coach Fred Davis. Ben, according to many, is the closest BYU has ever come to having a national wrestling champion.
Ben transferred to BYU as a two-time junior college All-American. He was also voted the California junior college outstanding wrestler in 1972 before making his home in Provo. The 190-pound native Hawaiian made success a habit wherever he went and practically eliminated the word defeat from his vocabulary during his wrestling career.
Ben compiled a collegiate career record of 116 wins and 8 losses. While at BYU, Ben became an All-American in 1973 and 1974, narrowly missing a national wrestling crown. He was the WAC champion in 1973 and 1974 and was also the Beehive champion during those years. Ben was selected as BYU's and the WAC's outstanding wrestler during the 1974 season. He never lost a match to a WAC opponent.
Ben's career was exciting and had many highlights, one of which was his selection to the NCAA East-West All-Star team in 1974, perhaps the greatest honor a collegiate wrestler can receive. Ben was an Olympic hopeful, but a broken rib kept him out of the trial competitions. He had defeated the wrestler who went on to win the gold medal.
1983 Hall of Fame Inductee
When Ben returned to BYU as an assistant wrestling coach, he had a reunion with his former coach Fred Davis. Ben, according to many, is the closest BYU has ever come to having a national wrestling champion.
Ben transferred to BYU as a two-time junior college All-American. He was also voted the California junior college outstanding wrestler in 1972 before making his home in Provo. The 190-pound native Hawaiian made success a habit wherever he went and practically eliminated the word defeat from his vocabulary during his wrestling career.
Ben compiled a collegiate career record of 116 wins and 8 losses. While at BYU, Ben became an All-American in 1973 and 1974, narrowly missing a national wrestling crown. He was the WAC champion in 1973 and 1974 and was also the Beehive champion during those years. Ben was selected as BYU's and the WAC's outstanding wrestler during the 1974 season. He never lost a match to a WAC opponent.
Ben's career was exciting and had many highlights, one of which was his selection to the NCAA East-West All-Star team in 1974, perhaps the greatest honor a collegiate wrestler can receive. Ben was an Olympic hopeful, but a broken rib kept him out of the trial competitions. He had defeated the wrestler who went on to win the gold medal.