Physics question on forces, torque and static equilibrium?

You're exactly right -- Zoltan has to support 1/2 of the mass of the beam. Gravity is exerting 98.1N in the downward direction, the bench is exerting 49.05N in the upward direction, and out pal Zoltan is exerting the other 49.05N in the upward direction to keep the beam in both translational and rotational equilibrium.