Takedown Report

State Champion Jake Smith named ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winner

State Champion Jake Smith of Havelock High School was presented the 9^th Annual Roy Heverly Award as the top underclassman scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina. Jake was joined by Principal, Jeffrey Murphy, at the 50 yard line just before Havelock’s first round football playoff game.  Many supportive Havelock sports fans cheered on the popular athlete.

Smith completed his junior season with a (40-5) record on the path to a state champion medal at the state tournament in the 3A division at 103 lbs.  A much better performance than his first trip to the state tournament as he lost both matches his sophomore year.  Yet being a state qualifier was quite an achievement over his freshman year on the J.V. squad when he won only own 3 varsity matches that season.  Jake also admitted “I only won one match in my two years of middle school wrestling.”  Yet he endured, improved and sought high goals and became Havelock’s latest in many state champions.  So far he has earned him 85 career wins for his team and while blazing quite a journey of improvement.

Smith was also named the top 103 lbs. wrestler in eastern North Carolina by the TakeDown Report and earned an engraved plaque for that honor.  He placed 6^th on the previous annual listing.  When asked why he did so much better last season he said “I was motivated by all those who asked ‘Just who is this Jake Smith?”  While this was representative of his pride and determination he quickly added “Havelock High School has an amazing program and tradition.  Great coaches, and getting whopped a lot by the guys in the (practice) room. I had to get tough.”  Wrestling is his favorite sport yet he has participated in football and soccer in his off-seasons.

Parents Shelly & DeWayne Smith are proud and supportive of Jake’s wrestling efforts and glad to seem him doing better.  Shelly, stated that “as a mother, at times it is hard for a parent to watch but I can open my eyes more often now.”  Jake remarked, “I appreciate this award and know that there are many tough wrestlers in our end of the state.” He added that his toughest opponent was his conference rival from West Craven, Dajohn Gooding.  Jake won 7 of their 9 battles this season with the most important being a 10-3 victory in the state semi-finals. Marquin Hill of Washington, Ryan Blackwell of Croatan and Charlie Millea of Havelock were the previous award winners in recent years.

The award is named in honor of former state champion Roy Heverly, a 4 time state medallist 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 is in its’ 15^th year in North Carolina reporting wrestling results and media coverage of the sport.  

November 11, 2011 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized