Takedown Report

State Champ Nick Quillen presented ‘Roy Heverly Award’ trophy

State Champion Nick Quillen of Rosewood High School was presented the 10^th Annual Roy Heverly Award as the top underclassman scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina. Nick was joined by TDR Editor Martin Fleming, at halftime of Rosewood’s first football game of the season on the 50 yard line. Many supportive Rosewood sports fans cheered on this popular athlete.

Quillen completed his junior season with a (61-0) record and won the 1A division State Championship at 120 lbs. In his sophomore season Nick made it to the state finals but came up short. He has qualified all 3 years in high school.  Nick has endured, improved and sought high goals to become Rosewood’s first undefeated wrestler and first state champion.  His Rosewood Coach Bill Edmundson pointed out that,”… he has earned him 161-11 career wins for his team and while blazing quite a journey of improvement.  He makes it look easy, yet that is because he works so hard at it.”

Quillen was also named the top 120 lbs. wrestler in eastern North Carolina, for the 2^nd consecutive year, by the TakeDown Report and earned an engraved wooden plaque for that honor.  He placed in the top 6 his freshman season.  When asked why he did much better last season he said “I was motivated by a different mind-set, being more focused which made me better able to do better.  While this was representative of his pride and determination he added “…we (Rosewood H. S.) have a great team and tradition.  Great coaches, and getting pushed in the (practice) room helped.  Edmundson added “Nick is a walking example of a hard working winner in every sense.”

His father, Michael Quillen beaming with pride for Nick stated “I knew he would be good when I told Coach Bill I got one for you as wrestling is the sport for Nick.”  He continued “I believed he would eventually become a state champion early on as he was too small for other sports and his determination and focus on wrestling and his academics studies.”  Nick added with an impish smile, “I appreciate this award and know that there are many tough wrestlers in our end of the state.”  Looking ahead to his senior season Nick stated that he “want to wrestle my best all the time and get as good as I can.”  He can surpass the Wayne County career record of 211 wins in his last season.  Then he will seek wrestling at a Division I University.

“My toughest opponent was a wrestler from North Rowan.  He kept me going, pushed me and was a good challenge.”  Yet Nick did not have the chance to wrestle Tyler Ross of Jacksonville, the state champion at 120 in 3A. Quillen and Ross are tied for the top spot at 120 and for the Roy Heverly Award.  Ross will be presented his award later this fall in Jacksonville. Marquin Hill of Washington, Ryan Blackwell of Croatan and Charlie Millea and Jake Smith 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 fans to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler,” he added.  The TDR is in its’ 16^th year in North Carolina reporting wrestling results and media coverage of the sport.  TDR at martinfleming@suddenlink.net , (252) 883-3311 & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/

August 20, 2012 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized