North Carolina University To Compete In 2026 National Duals Invitational
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The National Duals Invitational, a groundbreaking $1 million collegiate wrestling event sponsored by Paycom, has announced the 16-team field for the 2026 edition of the premier event.
Carolina, one of 16 teams announced for the event, will compete in the two-day event taking place Dec. 12-13 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Defending National Duals Invitational champion Ohio State will be joined in the field by Arizona State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, NC State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Stanford, Virginia Tech and Wyoming. Together, the 16 programs represent some of the most storied traditions in collegiate wrestling, combining for 54 NCAA team titles and over 400 individual titles.
“Seeing this caliber of programs commit so quickly reinforces what we’re building in Tulsa,” said Matt Surber, tournament director. “The National Duals Invitational is bringing together some of the most historic programs to compete for significant prize money in the exciting duals format. We expect this tournament to continue elevating the sport of college wrestling.”
Topping $1,230,000, the 2026 prize purse will represent one of the most significant financial contributions in college wrestling. … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2026/5/12/wrestling-to-compete-in-2026-national-duals-invitational?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Carolina Beach Nationals return to Carolina Beach, N.C., May 9, the qualifier for U.S. age-group Beach World Teams
Apr 30, 2026, 4:58 PM EDT
By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
The 2026 Beach Wrestling season has begun! Wrestlers of all ages are preparing for the 2026 Carolina Beach National Championships, which return to Carolina Beach, N.C., on Saturday, May 9.
The 2026 U.S. Nationals in Carolina Beach is the qualifier for the 2026 U17 and U20 U.S. Beach World Teams, and part of the qualifying process for the U.S. Senior Beach World Series teams.
For the first time since UWW began holding age-group Beach World Championships, the U17 and U20 Beach World Championships will be held in different locations. The 2026 U17 Beach Wrestling World Championships are set for August 28-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 2026 U20 Beach World Championships are set for September 25 in Katerini, Greece.
A U15 age group has been added to the Carolina Beach Nationals this year for both boys and girls. Although it is not a qualifying event, participants in this tournament will be highly encouraged to also attend the 2026 U15 Beach Wrestling Pan American Championships in Mexico City, Mexico, on July 26.
The 2026 UWW Senior Beach World Series will be held in five locations this year. The 2026 Carolina Beach Nationals is one of the qualifying events for U.S. teams competing in the Beach World Series. The Beach World Series stops in … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2026/april/30/carolina-beach-nationals-return-to-carolina-beach-n-c-may-9-the-qualifier-for-u-s-age-group-beach-world-teams?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
N.C. State Wrestling Alumnus, Mike Macchiavello, Wins U.S. Open
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Highlighted by NC State wrestling alumnus Michael Macchiavello winning the Senior Freestyle 92kg bracket, between former and current Wolfpack wrestlers, six landed on the podium at the 2026 U.S. Open in Las Vegas over the weekend.
Across the five days of competition at The Expo at World Market Center in Las Vegas, representatives of NC State wrestling delivered a strong showing at the highly competitive U.S. Open freestyle tournament over the weekend.
Between former and current athletes of the Wolfpack’s program, 11 wrestled in the tournament, while six of those guys found a place on the podium in their respective weight bracket. One alumnus (Mike Macchiavello) and two current freshmen (Will Denny and Cason Howle) earned placements in the top-three.
2018 national champion at 197 lbs for the Pack, Macchiavello earned the title of U.S. Open Champion after dominating the 92kg field, punching his ticket to Final X in June, … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2026/4/29/wrestling-alumnus-mike-macchiavello-wins-us-open
State Champion Lucas Angstadt presented the 2026 James Johnson Memorial Award
Coach Wes Knight. Lucas Angstadt, TDR Rep. Neal Dorow (left to right)
Lucas Angstadt was presented the 2026 James Johnson Memorial Award at his team’s end-of-the-season celebration.. Lucas started wrestling in the 9th grade at Ashley High. He admits that “…”I was terrible.”. He couldn’t break the varsity lineup as a freshman. Lucas worked the entire off-season preparing. He returned as a sophomore starter and qualified for the State Tournament. Illness prevented him from wrestling his best and he did not place at the State Tournament. Lucas was a Regional champ as a Junior and wrestled well at States, but did not place. He then focused on being a senior state champion. He only lost once in the regular season, to a previous State Camp, and that removed nerves and worries for the rest of the season. He lost to Luke Richards of Cardinal Gibbons in the first round of the dual team playoffs. Yet, he did not get discouraged as he faced Richards in the Regional final the next weekend. Lucas won a major decision 10-0. Coach Wes Knight shared that “Lucas was laser-focused at the State Tournament. He had a great showing. Lucas always put in the work. He always wanted more wrestling. preseason, regular season, or postseason, he tried to get more mat time. Based on a strong performance at the NHSCA Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach he is seeking to wrestle in college next year.
Last year Gerald ‘J.J.’ Johnson of West Craven was presented the James Johnson Award. In previous years, the award winners were Deondre Johnson of Clayton (2024), Caleb Beatty of Corinth-Holders, Avery Buonocore and Alex Hopper of Laney High School in 2023. Devon Bell and Mark Samuel of Laney in 2022, River Carroll of West Carteret (2021), Tyler Hughes and Christian Decatur of C.B. Aycock and Bryan Argao of North Brunswick (2020), Timothy Decatur of Rosewood (2019), Beau Studebaker of East Carteret, Jeremiah Derby of First Flight and Thomas Hudson of Dixon (2018), Carlos Martinez of First Flight (2017), Will Newbern of West Carteret (2017), Tanner Stamper-Smith of Havelock (2016), Joe Mondragon of Ashley H.S. (2015), De’Andre Jones of New Bern (2014), Alex Bray of Croatan (2013), Jon Wiley (2012) of South Brunswick, Marquin Hill (2011) of Washington H.S., Branden Lietz (2010) of J.H. Rose, Mamour Camara (2009) of Louisburg, Anthony Rogers (2008) of Knightdale, Ngu Tran (2007) of C.B. Aycock, Victor Hojillo (2006) of West Carteret, Raymond Jordan (2004) of New Bern, Shaun Sheffield (2003) of Havelock, David Pelsang (2005), and Paris Dottery (2002) of White Oak. James Johnson started wrestling his junior year for D.H. Conley High School in Greenville with Milt Sherman as his coach. James was Coney’s 1st state champion in any sport in 1976. He was North Carolina’s 1st Eastern Junior National Champion in 1975 and North Carolina’s 1st Junior Nationals All-American with 3rd in 1976. He started four years at the University of Kentucky. He was inducted as an “Outstanding American” in the North Carolina State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was a coach for the U.S.A. Olympic Greco-Roman team in London. He was on the USA National Wrestling team for 12 years, winning 3 National Championships, USA Athlete of the Year, AIM Christian Athlete of the Year, and Olympic Team Alternate. He was an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 20 years. Johnson passed away in September, 2019 after coaching the USA Juniors Greco-Roman team at the World Championship in Estonia.
TDR Big Awards announced
The TakeDown Report Top Awards for wrestlers in eastern North Carolina.
A press release with a photo of each wrestler will be posted close to when the award is presented. The list of the top award-winning wrestlers as follows:
Top Seniors :
James Johnson Memorial: Lucas Angstadt (120) of Wilmington Ashley
Michael Stokes : James Campos (144) of White Oak
Olivia Neal : Zainab Hijawi “ZoZo” (114) Haiwab of South Central
Top Underclassmen :
Roy Heverly : Tobin McNair (165) of Wakefield
Luke Padgett (190) of Croatan
Ashton Tennessee (132) of West Johnston
Lee Carroll : Quincy Holton (126) of North East Carolina Prep
Olivia Neal : Isabella Johnson (100) of Croatan
DI Board of Directors directs Cabinet to advance age-based eligibility rules
After a robust discussion, the Division I Board of Directors on Monday directed the Division I Cabinet to advance an age-based eligibility concept that, if adopted in its current form, would permit student-athletes up to five years of eligibility beginning the regular academic year after they turn 19 or graduate from high school, whichever happens earlier. Under that model, Division I student-athletes would no longer be limited to only four seasons of competition within their five-year eligibility window.
“The time is now to reform the period of eligibility rules to provide Division I student-athletes and our schools clear and consistent standards that align with current college athletes’ experiences,” said Tim Sands, president at Virgina Tech and chair of the board. “The board fully supports student-athletes receiving the unprecedented financial benefits now available to them and emphasized these changes would protect opportunities for high school student-athletes to access the benefits only college sports can provide, while delivering predictable outcomes for student-athletes and our schools.”
The board also expressed support for two key elements to be included in future changes:
- Maintain the Division I core guarantees — including degree-completion funding for up to 10 years after a student-athlete’s eligibility expires if they have not yet earned a degree.
- Maintain existing rules — allowing four seasons of competition in five years of eligibility … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/2026/4/27/media-center-di-board-of-directors-directs-cabinet-to-advance-age-based-eligibility-rules.aspx
NCHSAA Board approves the addition of John Paul II Catholic and Durham Charter
John Paul II Catholic High School out of Greenville will join the association in 2027-28, and Durham Charter in 2026-27
Five new schools will be joining the N.C. High School Athletic Association over the next two years.
The NCHSAA Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve the implementation of two new schools as a part of the consent agenda at the 2026 spring meeting.
John Paul II Catholic High School in Greenville will join the association in 2027-28, and Durham Charter in 2026-27.
The addition of JPII comes as both a surprise and a milestone.
JPII will be the fifth Catholic school admitted to the association, joining Bishop McGuinness, Cardinal Gibbons, Charlotte Catholic, and Christ the King. Unlike the existing four, JPII is not a part of a Diocese.
The school left the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, which operates Cardinal Gibbons, in 2021. Bishop McGuinness, Charlotte Catholic, and Christ the King operate under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte.
It is yet to be determined which conference JPII will be added to.
The Board of Directors previously approved the addition of three schools for the upcoming 2026-27 school year:
- Wilson’s Mills High School, a traditional public school in Johnston County
- Revolution Academy Charter School in Summerfield, Guilford County
- The Hawbridge School, a charter school in Saxapahaw, Alamance County
Durham Charter has been playing existing NCHSAA teams as a non-conference opponent. As a part of the approved consent agenda, the Lions will compete in the Triangle North 1A/2A starting this August.
As a part of today’s consent agenda, The Hawbridge School has been accepted into the Central Tar Heel 1A Conference for the 2026-2027 school year. … more at … https://www.highschoolot.com/story/nchsaa-board-approves-the-addition-of-john-paul-ii-catholic-and-durham-charter/22355109/
How do the New Additions Impact the Pac-12?
Last week, we learned that the Pac-12 is in the process of making power moves to strengthen the league from a wrestling standpoint. Before the 2025-26 season started, the conference announced that Northern Illinois would join for the 2026-27 season. The news released last week announced that Air Force, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, and South Dakota State would join, as well.
The question is, how does this move impact the conference going forward? Of course, the obvious answer is more stability and a nine-team conference tournament instead of the bare bones four-team tournament. Looking deeper than that, what could some of these weight classes look like with the new additions?
In 2026, the Pac-12 earned 13 allocations for the NCAA Tournament and added one additional at-large for a total of 14 wrestlers in Cleveland. The five new schools were responsible for 17 national qualifiers – one 2026 All-American, one past All-American and a bloodround’er.
Going forward, there’s a chance that the Pac-12 can double its representation at nationals with the changes. Playing devils advocate, one might say these new schools benefitted in some ways from a Big 12 conference with a bunch of allocations available. That’s true in … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/pac-12/how-do-the-new-additions-impact-the-pac-12-r100937/
Women’s College Wrestling Is Better With Jason Moorman In It
Jason Moorman is a transformational women’s college wrestling coach. And we need that to continue.
If actions speak, then Jason Moorman’s college coaching career is worth examining.
Moorman landed at Tarleton State after his surprise departure from King University on October 18, 2024. It should surprise no one that an influx of talent followed him to Stephenville, Texas.
Aine Drury was the biggest get. She finished second and fifth at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships after winning a California Community College title. She also reached Final X and won the 2025 U.S. Open.
Tarleton State competes in the NCWA division, which is sort of like a club division, despite spirited debate about its place among women’s college wrestling. It’s the only women’s college division with a national folkstyle championship.
So, when Dury won the 2026 NCWA at 145 pounds, it was folkstyle — not freestyle. Again, no surprise that Tarleton State won back-to-back NCWA team titles.
“(Jason) is the best collegiate women’s wrestling coach in the country. And it’s not close.” – North Central coach Joe Norton
There are others, like California’s Piper Pike. She watched Moorman coach at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships as a high schooler and decided she’d follow him to whichever college he was the head coach at. “When we watch the NCAA finals, I noticed his girls were in quite a few of them,” Pike said. “He’s a really good coach. I like everything about his style and his honesty, and I definitely gelled with that.”
Tarleton State was expected to add a Division I women’s wrestling program, but it hasn’t happened yet. And there’s no timeline on whether it will.
That leaves Moorman in wrestling purgatory. He wants to coach, and he wants to win, but we can’t expect him to stick around forever if the Texans don’t have a sanctioned program. The NCWA is a good option for some, but it isn’t the NCAA or the NAIA. That’s where Moorman needs to be. That’s where women’s wrestling needs him to be. He’s too valuable on the sidelines.
“Jason took me in and taught me how to utilize my talent and not let it go to waste.” – 2016 Olympian Haley Augello
His track record speaks for itself. Moorman started … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/15844605-womens-college-wrestling-is-better-with-jason-moorman-in-it
UNC-Pembroke’s Davis Named Super Region 2 Rookie Of The Year
By: Alex Pearce, Assistant Athletic Communications Director
NWCA Release
MANHEIM, PA. – 125 pounder Cooper Davis capped off his impressive redshirt-freshman season by being named the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division 2 Super Region II Rookie of the Year, the organization announced.
The Davidson native earned the honor after finishing his season 24-10 overall with 19 bonus point victories (Eight pins, ten technical falls, one major decision). Davis brought home a third-place finish at the NCAA Super Region II Tournament to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships, where he went 1-2 with a win via technical fall. Davis becomes … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2026/4/29/wrestling-davis-named-super-region-2-rookie-of-the-year.aspx
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 