Takedown Report

Hopkins presented the Stokes Award by the TDR

Quadarrius Hopkins wins Stokes Award as top wrestler in Northern North Carolina
The TakeDown Report presented the 24th Annual Michael Stokes Award to State Champion Quadarrius Hopkins of Tarboro, as the Top Senior Wrestler in the Tar-Roanoke area in Eastern North Carolina in 2017. It was presented during the Tarboro Athletic Banquet Awards night last week
Quadarrius is a 3 time State Qualifer, 2 time Regional Champion, 3 time State Placer (being only the second person is school history to do this). In 2015 he finished 4th at 145 then in 2016 he finished 3rd at 145 and 2017 finished 1st at 152. After graduation next month Quadarrius will enlist in the National Guard. After and once his training in finished next year he will enroll in a 4 Year University where he plans to continue his wrestling career. Coach Andy Harding proudly praised Quadarrius as he described his growth and development over the years. “He could have been a 3 time state champ but as he will tell you he had to learn some lessons, grow and mature as a wrestler.”
Quadarrius agreed as he stated that “I learned a lot from Coach Harding and wrestling helped me grow and mature.” He then related an example when “…in the finals this year I had a big lead yet I knew the guy (his opponent) liked to go for the big 5 point throws so I stayed low when on my feet and knew it was ok if he got 2 because he would let me get one as he wanted to throw.” Hopkins was correct as the match narrowed in the score but he prevailed.
Michael Stokes wrestled the 1981-1984 seasons at Tarboro High School and with a (96–4) career record. He was North Carolina’s 2nd 3-time State Champion when there was only one individual champion at a weight in the state. He wrestled for N.C. State and won ACC wrestling titles in 1988 and 1989 and was named the ACC Most Valuable Wrestler both years. His record of 68 wins 8 losses and 3 ties (.879) is the best career winning percentage at NC State. He finished second at the NCAA Nationals at 126lbs in 1989 to Kendall Cross, the eventual Olympic Gold medalist. Stokes co-captained the Wolfpack in 1989 and one of the ACC’s all time 50 greatest wrestlers as recognized during the conference’s 50th anniversary celebration. Stokes credits wrestling as “providing me with a mental toughness that enables me to remove boundaries that stand in my way. Wrestling has given me the sheer determination to believe that I can conquer anything that I set my mind to do.” Stokes remembered his last time at Tarboro when he presented the Award to David Guevara of Tarboro (2013.So did Quadarrius as he shared how seeing that trophy had motivated him this year as he wanted to earn a Stokes Award.
Previous Stokes Award wrestlers include Wilson Smith of Rocky Mount (2016), Angel Najar of North Pitt (2015), Reggie Huff of Southern Nash (2014), David Guevara of Tarboro (2013), Alexander Knight and Jaciento Williamson of Rocky Mount (2012), Xavier Najar of North Pitt (2011), Joe Young of Northern Nash (2010), Corey Smith of Tarboro (2009), Jasmine Cooper of Nash Central (2008), Eric Wischhusen, (2007), Roylando Lucas (2001) and Ira Bing (2000) of Southern Nash, John Brewer (2006) of Wilson Fike, Anthony Taylor (2005) of Rocky Mount, Sammi Hadi (2004) and Ryan Huffman (1997) of SouthWest Edgecombe, Charles Washington (2003) of Northern Nash, Quadric Eason (2002), Mike Christopher (1999 & 1998), Tony Mercer (1996) and Lee Carroll (1994 & 1995) of Tarboro.
The TDR promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors this award. “The awards are to recognize great wrestlers from before and the current ones for their efforts,” Editor Martin Fleming noted. The TakeDown Report has promoted and covered scholastic and collegiate wrestling for 20 years in North Carolina. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com or https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/ or ‘The TakeDown Report’ on FaceBook.

May 25, 2017 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized