Takedown Report

Stamper-Smith named 2016 James Johnson Outstanding Wrestler of eastern N.C.

Tanner Stamper-Smith awarded James Johnson Trophy as top wrestler in eastern North Carolina
State Champion Tanner Stamper-Smith of Havelock High School was presented the 16th Annual James Johnson Award as the best scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina in 2016. The award is named in honor of three time national champion James Johnson. Tanner will sign with Northwestern College in Iowa to continue his wrestling in the NAIA level.
Tanner was the state champion at 160 lbs. in his senior year with 60 victories and just one loss. Tanner was a Regional Runner-up and State Qualifier as a freshmen, he was a 12th seed at regionals in spite of not being a regular starter until the second half of the season. His sophomore year he moved to Okinawa, Japan and was the Far East Champion, which is their version of the State Championships, with a 25-0 record. He moved back to NC his junior year and was 25-3 before suffering a season ending injury in the semifinals of the Tiger Holiday Classic. He rehabbed and trained as soon as the doctor cleared him late spring of 2015. He spent all Summer and Fall traveling to tournaments in and out of state. He finished his high school career with a record of 119 wins and just 12 losses.
Other Tournament Championships include 2016 Regionals, 2016 Conference, 2015 WRAL Champion, 2x Placer, 2015 Tiger Holiday Classic Runner-Up, 2X Placer, 2x Beach Brawl, 2x Swiss Bear and 2x Beast of the East Champion. Notable wins this season over out of state medalists include Dalton Simpson of Dorman, SC, a 2X Runner-Up, 4X Placer, Jacob Plunkett of Cave Springs, VA, (Runner-Up, 3X Placer), Garrett Tingen of Fauquier, VA, (2X State Champion) and William Sorey of Oscar Smith, VA, (5th Place, 3X VA qualifier). Notable wins over state wide competitors include Josh Walker of Newton Conover, (2A Runner-Up, 2x Placer), Camden Bergey of Chapel Hill, (3A Runner Up, 2X SQ), Tyler Spurling of East Gaston, (3X Placer, 4X SQ), Thomas Flitz of Piedmont, (2X 3rd place States) and Hunter Queen of Northwood, (3A Runner-Up, 2X Placer, 3X SQ).
In the eastern North Carolina TDR coverage area Tanner showed his dominance by twice defeating Connor Hughes of First Flight, (2A State Champion, 2X Placer), Ethan Bridges of Croatan, (2015 4th Place, 4X SQ), Michael Nelson of West Brunswick, (2X SQ), Alexander Henderson of Rocky Mount, (2X SQ) and Dalton Hill of New Bern, (3rd Place Finisher, 4X SQ).
Previous award winners were Joe Mondragon (2015) of Ashley H.S. De’Andre Jones (2014) of New Bern, Alex Bray (2013) of Croatan, 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.
The TakeDown Report promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors the Award. “The award is to recognize the most successful wrestler in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with an opportunity to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top notch wrestler,” he added. The TakeDown Report is in its’ 19th year of operations in North Carolina encouraging media coverage of the sport. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com.
James Johnson started wrestling in 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 went on to start four years at the University of Kentucky. He is now a sports consultant and coach for the Phoenix-based Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club. He also specializes in developing unique training for people of all fitness levels with a broad background in public speaking, sports training techniques, and health and fitness. 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.
Before developing James Johnson, Inc., James served as a Public Relations/ Community Speaker for Sunkist worldwide. 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, Olympic Team Alternate, and numerous accolades worldwide. He has been an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 16 years. More at http://jjchamp3x.com/.

May 30, 2016 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized