Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Harold Smith
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(above David Rothwell & Harold Smith)
Harold Smith – Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Smith moved to Winston-Salem at a young age and attended R.J. Reynolds High School. There, he excelled in basketball, football, and track and was a starter on the school’s 1964 state championship football team. He then attended Hargrave Military Academy for one year, earning letters in three sports before transferring to Wake Forest University to play football. He later transferred to Elon University, where he finished his career as a three-year starter in football and graduated in 1971 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.
Smith began his 47-year career as an educator at Graham High School from 1971 to 1973, where he served as head wrestling coach while also coachingfootball and tennis. Though he had never wrestled himself, he quickly developed a reputation as a driven, successful, and innovative coach. A skilled promoter of wrestling, Smith created an exciting atmosphere by organizing wrestling cheerleaders, bringing in the school band, and securing live local radio broadcasts for home matches. His events attracted crowds of up to 1,000 spectators, elevating wrestling’s visibility in the community.
In 1973, Smith founded the wrestling program at Trinity High School, building what would become one of the state’s top programs. While also coaching football, track, and golf, Smith turned Trinity wrestling into a powerhouse. In 1976, Trinity won its first conference championship in just its third season. The following year, Trinity captured the 1977 WNCHSAA dual team championship with a perfect 18-0 record. That same year, Smith established the Trinity Invitational tournament, an event that continues to this day. His 1980 Trinity team captured sectional, regional, and state championships, earning Smith NC Mat News Coach of the Year honors. Trinity followed its state championship season with a fifth-place state finish in 1981.
Smith also served as head wrestling coach at High Point Central High School from 1983 to 1985 and at R.J. Reynolds High School from 1986 to 1988. His 1984 High Point Central team completed an undefeated regular season, won sectional and regional championships, and finished third in the state wrestling tournament.
After earning a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from North Carolina A&T, Smith moved into administration in 1987, serving in administrative positions in Forsyth County while continuing to coach wrestling until 2018. In addition to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Smith is a member of the Mount Tabor Athletic Hall of Fame (2022). He has also been inducted three times into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame (2023, 2024, and 2025), along with his 1977 and 1980 wrestling teams.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Charlie Jenkins
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Cecil Mock & Charlie Jenkins)
Charlie Jenkins – Jenkins began wrestling in elementary school while growing up in Washington, New Jersey. He attended Warren Hills High School, where he played baseball and was a four-year letter winner in wrestling. After graduating high school in 1980, he joined the workforce and moved to Pennsylvania. While his sons were competing in youth wrestling, Jenkins recognized a need for quality officials and acted by becoming a wrestling official in 1986. He worked his way through the system in Pennsylvania’s highly competitive District 11, arguably the strongest wrestling area in the country. While officiating in District 11, Jenkins worked matches involving nationally ranked programs such as Easton High School, Nazareth High School, Parkland High School, and Blair Academy. While in Pennsylvania, Jenkins officiated two National Prep tournaments, multiple dual team championships, sectional tournaments, and six regional championships.
In 2001, Jenkins married his wife Rhonda and moved to North Carolina where he quickly became a key figure in high school and collegiate officiating. He has worked numerous NCHSAA state tournaments and dual team finals, served as co-head official for the state tournament since 2012, and officiated at the collegiate level from 2002 to 2025. He has called two Southern Conference and ACC tournaments, along with multiple NCAA Division II regional championships.
In 2015, Jenkins became a regional supervisor for the Southeastern Wrestling Officials Association, a role he continues to hold. He played a key role working with the NCHSAA on the transition to a three-day state tournament format and the consolidation of dual team finals into a single central location. He has been a consistent and influential voice for wrestling in North Carolina, working to improve championship events and officiating standards. His philosophy is that officials should be open to corrective criticism along with a consistent focus on improvement. Jenkins received the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
Jenkins retired from Scotland County Schools in 2022 after serving as Safe Schools Coordinator for 21 years. Despite overcoming significant health challenges, including cancer and open-heart surgery in recent years, Jenkins has continued to perform his duties at the highest level as a regional supervisor and co-head official of the NCHSAA state tournament.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Butch Ross, Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton & Rex Wells)
Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton – A native of Lincoln County, Shelton grew up in a wrestling family and started keeping score for her father’s West Lincoln Middle School wrestling team when she was just eight years old. She attended West Lincoln High School, where she was a cheerleader, softball player, and wrestling team manager. After graduating from West Lincoln in 1995, she earned a degree in elementary education from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2001 and a master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University in 2015. She worked as an educator in Lincoln County Schools, in both teaching and administration, from 1997 to 2018.
Elizabeth has been involved with wrestling at all levels, from youth through college. She got her start with North Carolina USA Wrestling by running the Top Dawg freestyle tournament in 2006 and remains active in the organization today. From 2008 to 2015, she served as an Executive Board Member and Secretary for NC USA Wrestling, and from 2006 to 2015, she served as the State Pairings Director. She was the recipient of the Frank Rader “Person of the Year” award in 2010 and the Southeast Regional Kids/Cadets Person of the Year award for USA Wrestling in 2011. In addition to her work with USA Wrestling, Elizabeth oversaw registration and pairings for the Appalachian State University Wrestling Camp from 2013 to 2021.
Recruited by Sara Koenig and Leigh Hebbard, Elizabeth joined the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament staff in 2008 and continues to play a vital role in planning and coordinating the event today. In addition to overseeing tournament operations, she trains regional directors in the use of Trackwrestling and serves as a resource for tournament directors and coaches across the state during both the regular season and post season. Elizabeth was among the first to bring Trackwrestling to North Carolina, first with NC USA Wrestling and later in the NCHSAA state tournament. She was recognized with the NCHSAA Region 6 Special Person Award in 2019. With the goal of growing wrestling at the grassroots level, Elizabeth and Rusty Carpenter founded and began operating Priorities Wrestling in 2010. Her organization, supported and operated by her family, manages multiple wrestling tournaments across the Southeast, conducting between 50 and 75 events annually. Through her work, she helps teams conduct successful events while providing athletes, coaches, and fans with a high-quality tournament experience. Currently, Elizabeth serves as a customer service representative for FloSports in addition to operating Priorities Wrestling. Her sons, Hunter and Will both wrestled for, and currently coach the West Lincoln wrestling
team with their grandfather, Butch Ross. Elizabeth and her father, Butch, are the first father and daughter inducted into the North Carolina chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Bryan Tutterrow
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Bryan Tuterrow and Mark Harris)
Bryan Tutterrow – Tutterrow is a Statesville native who attended North Iredell High School. Tutterrow was a four-sport athlete at North Iredell in baseball, wrestling, football, and track. Graduating from high school in 1978, he attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 1984 with a degree in mathematics education. He later earned a master’s degree in mathematics education from Appalachian State University in 1995.
Tutterrow dedicated 40 years to coaching high school wrestling, including 38 years as a head wrestling coach, in addition to coaching baseball and football. He began his head coaching career at West Iredell High School where he spent 11 seasons, won over 100 dual meets, and captured one conference championship. He returned to North Iredell High School in 1996, where he built one of the area’s most successful wrestling programs, winning more than 500 dual meets and four conference championships.
Over the course of his career, Tutterrow compiled 670 dual meet victories. His teams produced three individual state champions and 15 state finalists. In 2014, his North Iredell team finished as regional dual team runner-up and captured the regional tournament championship. Tutterrow was recognized five times as conference coach of the year in 1996, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Beyond the high school level, Tutterrow was part of an effort to grow the sport locally. While at West Iredell, he helped establish the I-40/I-77 Wrestling League, which expanded wrestling opportunities throughout the region. Tutterrow is widely known in North Carolina as an outstanding person, coach, and mentor. His teams were consistently well-prepared, well-behaved, and difficult to beat. He positively impacted his student athletes and worked hard to improve and promote wrestling. He coached his sons Matthew and Jacob, both state medalists. Some of his former wrestlers, including Mike Carey (Fred T. Foard), his son Jacob (Cary), and Ritchie Houston (Madison, Georgia) went on to successful coaching careers of their own. Tutterow retired in April 2026, having worked for four decades as an educator in Iredell County.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Jeff Queen
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
Jeff Queen – Born in Morganton, Queen’s family moved to Greensboro during his childhood. He was introduced to wrestling in elementary school and would serve as the wrestling and baseball scorekeeper at Page High School. Graduating in 1988, he continued his education at Elon University, earning a degree in accounting with a minor in marketing in 1992. He then completed a five-year graduate program at Pfeiffer University, earning two master’s degrees in business and health administration.
While in college, Queen was encouraged by his brother Mike, a wrestler at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to begin officiating. This marked the start of what is now 35 consecutive years of officiating wrestling as a member of the Piedmont Wrestling Officials Association. He has officiated in the NCHSAA state tournament for 18 years, worked multiple state dual team playoff matches, and called two dual team state championships. Queen was the recipient of the Dick Knox Distinguished Official Award in 2019.
Known for his professionalism, preparation, and impartiality, Queen has built a strong reputation throughout the North Carolina wrestling community. Wrestlers, coaches, and fans respect him for his fairness, consistency, and ability to make tough calls with confidence. His calm demeanor, ability to listen, and pleasant nature have made him a trusted presence on and off the mat throughout his career.
Beyond officiating, Queen has given back extensively to the wrestling community. He has donated uniforms to the Page High School wrestling program, provided meals and snacks for officials during NCHSAA state tournaments, and actively mentors young officials. Queen is a corporate accountant and serves as Chief Executive Officer of Vecoplan LLC, a company that focuses on industrial shredding and recycling equipment. His nephews, Hunter and Mike were both state champions for Northwood High School. He currently lives in Greensboro and enjoys spending time with his son, Carter.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – David Siler
(above David Siler and Milt Sherman)
David Siler – Siler was born in Winston-Salem and his family moved to Raleigh at a young age. He attended Broughton High School, where he wrestled, served as a student athletic trainer, and was a member of the Service Club. After graduating high school in 1981, he attended North Carolina State University, where he earned a varsity letter in sports medicine and worked as an athletic trainer with the Wolfpack wrestling team. By his senior year, Siler was on a full athletic scholarship for sports medicine. He graduated from NC State in 1986 with a degree in mathematics education. While attending NC State, he traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic with Athletes in Action, finishing third in an international freestyle tournament.
Siler taught and coached at Havelock High School from 1986 to 2002, where he served as head wrestling coach and athletic trainer for 16 years. He then moved to Havelock Middle School, coaching wrestling and serving as the school’s athletic trainer until his retirement in 2015 after 29 years as an educator. When he was hired at Havelock High School, he became only the second wrestling coach in the program’s history, replacing Wilber Sasser.
During his 14 years as head coach at Havelock High School, Siler built one of the state’s elite wrestling programs. His teams won state tournament championships in 1996, 1997, and 2001, finished as dual team state runner-up in 1996, and captured the dual team state championship in 1997. Havelock also won three consecutive east regional championships in 1995, 1996, and 1997. His teams also reached the regional dual finals multiple times. Siler compiled a dual meet coaching record of 205-68-1 and coached 26 state medalists, six individual state champions, and 11 state finalists. His accomplishments earned him recognition as NC Mat News Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2001, along with USA Wrestling’s North Carolina coach of the year honors in 2001. Known as a man of character and leadership, Siler emphasized mentorship and personal development alongside success on the mat.
Following his retirement from Havelock, Siler continued his work in education for 10 more years as a math teacher at The Epiphany School of Global Studies. Now fully retired, Siler still supports the Havelock wrestling program and enjoys watching practices and matches when he can. Siler and his wife, Donna, have been married since 1987 and have a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Ashley.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Johnny Brown
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
Johnny Brown · Charlie Jenkins · Harold Smith
Bryan Tutterrow · Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton
David Siler · Jeff Queen
(above David Rothwell & Johnny Brown)
Johnny Brown – Johnny Brown, a native of Salisbury, is a 1970 graduate of East Rowan High School. Brown was a standout high school athlete who wrestled, played football, and baseball. During his high school career, he wrestled for three years, earning team MVP honors. He capped off his senior wrestling season with a fourth-place finish in the WNCHSAA state tournament at 145 pounds. He also was the co-captain of East Rowan’s undefeated WNCHSAA state championship football team and a member of two teams that captured WNCHSAA state baseball championships.
Following high school, Brown attended Western Carolina University, where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in health and physical education. While in college, he began what would become a 30-year wrestling officiating career, starting in 1973 by calling middle school matches. From 1973 to 2003, Brown was one of North Carolina’s most respected wrestling officials, working 15 sectional tournaments, five NCHSAA state tournaments, and three NCHSAA dual team finals. Brown also officiated football for 50 years, calling his final game in 2025. His football officiating career included the 1992 state championship game and the 2004 East-West All-Star game. In addition, Brown also spent a decade officiating baseball.
In addition to his officiating accomplishments, Brown made a lasting impact as a football, wrestling, and track coach. From 1974 to 1986, he founded the wrestling program and served as head wrestling coach at Corriher-Lipe Junior High School, where his 1986 team completed an undefeated season and captured the conference tournament championship. He also started the wrestling program at North Rowan Middle School in 1988 and coached wrestling at East Rowan High School for two seasons.
Brown taught for over twenty years before moving into administration. He served in various administrative roles within Rowan County Schools for seven years before concluding his career as Director of Transportation, retiring in 2010 after two years in that position.
Known for his integrity, leadership, professionalism, and humility, Brown earned widespread respect on and off the mat. As an official, he was recognized for his command of matches, staying active, and commitment to excellence whether he was officiating a state championship final or a middle school dual meet.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
UWW Announces LA 2028 Olympic Qualification Calendar
CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 1) — United World Wrestling has announced the calendar for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification.
As previously announced, the LA 2028 qualification cycle will include four Ranking Series events, 2027 and 2028 continental championships, 2027 World Championships, the 2028 continental qualifiers and the 2028 World Olympic Qualifier.
The first event of the Olympic qualification cycle will be the 1st Ranking Series event in February 2027. The Ranking Series event will be held in a new seven-day format from February 15 to 21.
It will be followed by the 2027 continental championships beginning with Asian Championships from March 30 to April 4. European Championships will be held from April 5 to 11, followed by the African Champions from April 12 to 18.
The Oceania Championships will be held … more at … https://uww.org/article/uww-announces-la-2028-olympic-qualification-calendar?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Roy Heverly Awards 2026
State champions Tobin McNair of Wakefield, Luke Padgett of Croatan, and Ashton Tennessee of West Johnston have earned the ‘Roy Heverly Award’ as top Underclassmen Wrestlers in Eastern North Carolina in 2026. McNair repeated as an award winner and as an undefeated state champion. McNair became the first 165 State Champion in the newly created 8A division.
Luke Padgett won the first 190 State Championship in the new 5A division by a 1-0 decision over Harrison Compton of Seaforth H.S. Padgett’s only loss in over 50 matches was in overtime a week earlier in the regional finals. Tennessee also won the first 132 State Championship in the new 6A division. Tennessee’s only loss of the year was in mid-season to 1A/2A State Champion Holton Quincy of North East Carolina Prep in Tarboro.
(West Johnston coach John Fox and State Champion Ashton Tennessee)
Previous ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners
2025 Tobin McNair of Wakefield
2024 Ian Fritz of Topsail and Ryan Mann of N.E. Carolina Prep
2023 Ian Fritz of Topsail
2022 Alex Hopper of Wilm. Laney
2021 Caleb Beaty of Wake Forest and Mark Samuel of Wilm. Laney
2020 River Carroll of Swansboro and Mark Samuel of Wilm. Laney
2019 Christian Decatur of Rosewood
2018 Alec Sampson of Hoggard
2017 Beau Studebaker of East Carteret
2016 Harrison Campbell of West Brunswick
2015 Blaine Mainz of Jacksonville
2014 Joe Sculthorpe of Topsail
2013 Matteson Correll of Topsail
2012 Nick Quillen of Rosewood and Tyler Ross of Jacksonville
2011 Jake Smith of Havelock
2010 Marquin Hill of Washington
2009 Ryan Blackwell of Croatan
2008 Charlie Millea of Havelock
2007 Frank Hickman of Wilm. Laney
2006 Sean O’Laker of Croatan
2005 Eddie Sawyer of Currituck Co.
2004 Brian Lashomb of Currituck Co.
2003 Raymond Jordan of New Bern,
The award is named in honor of former state champion Roy Heverly, a 4 time state medalist at West Carteret and three time All-American at The University of North Carolina-Pembroke. The TakeDown Report, an on-line publication promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina, sponsors these Awards. “These awards recognize the most successful wrestlers in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with another opportunity for others to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler,” he added. The TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List that is displayed on the TDR Blog page. The TDR has been involved in the publicity of amateur wrestling in North Carolina for over 20 years. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com, (252) 883-3311 & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
The 2026 Offseason Coaching Carousel (5/1/2026)
The coaching carousel heated up late this week as a trio of moves was made public over Thursday and Friday. One of the worst-kept secrets, as far as coaching news goes, was Drake Ayala joining the Iowa State staff.
Earlier this year, Ayala just finished his career at the University of Iowa. While in Iowa City, Ayala earned All-American honors on three occasions. He made the NCAA finals in 2024 and 2025, before taking fifth at 133 lbs in Cleveland.
Hiring Ayala marks the first staffing change for the Cyclones under the leadership of Brent Metcalf. In mid-April, Metcalf was elevated to Iowa State’s head coaching post after Kevin Dresser stepped down to become the Director of Wrestling Operations. Ayala is an Iowa native who was deemed the #4 overall recruit after a career at Fort Dodge High School. His addition should only make the Iowa/Iowa State rivalry more fun going forward.
Sticking with the Big Ten, Maryland announced their latest hire this afternoon, Gavin Hoffman. Hoffman was a 2021 NCAA All-American for Ohio State and qualified for nationals on three occasions for the Buckeyes and Lock Haven. Hoffman was actually on staff for Lock Haven during the 2024-25 campaign and returned to the mat for the second semester.
Hoffman competed collegiately at 197/285 lbs and will … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/the-2026-offseason-coaching-carousel-512026-r100992/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 