Takedown Report

King presented Michael Stokes Award as a top wrestler in eastern North Carolina

King presented Michael Stokes Award as a top wrestler in eastern North Carolina
The TakeDown Report presented the 26th Michael Stokes Award to State Medalist Sincere King of North Pitt, as the Top Senior Wrestler in the Tar-Roanoke area in Eastern North Carolina in 2018. King placed 3rd at the State Tournament with a (50-5) record. It was his second state medal and a step up from his 5th place finish in 2017. His career record of 178 wins to 54 losses places him second in school history in wins and two District championships along with his two state medals.
King was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler in the Eastern Plains Conference and in Pitt County. During the season King earned 1st Place in the following tournaments: Pitt County, Eastern Plains Conference, Eagle Invitational, and the North Pitt Invitational. After High School is going to enroll in and compete for Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania. King had earlier received a personalized wooden plaque engraved with his name and the TDR logo as the top wrestler at his weight class in eastern North Carolina. Last year he ranked 4th in the east
It has been 3 years since the last time Stokes visited North Pitt High School in order to present the Award. It was also the third time that a Panther has earned this top honor. The two previous winners were the Najar brothers, Angel and Xavier as listed below.
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.”
Previous Stokes Award wrestlers include Quadarrius Hopkins of Tarboro (2017), 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 scholastic wrestling for 20 years in North Carolina and encourages coverage of the sport. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com or https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/ or ‘The TakeDown Report’ on FaceBook.

June 12, 2018 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment