Shawn Sheldon finished third at the New York State Championships in 1983, wrestling for Voorheesville High School.

He was an NCAA Division III national champion and a three-time All-American for SUNY Albany.

Shawn placed fourth in the 1992 Olympics and also competed in the 1988 Olympics. He represented the United States in eight Greco-Roman World Championships, earning a silver medal in 1991.

He won the U.S. National Greco-Roman Championships nine times while finishing second in the U.S. Nationals eight times. Shawn was a World Cup champion in 1989 and 1996 and finished third in the Pan American Games in 1987 and 1991. He won a U.S. record nine Greco-Roman World Cup medals during his career and was a five-time Concord Cup gold medalist.