Takedown Report

Edmundson built Rosewood into 1-A powerhouse

TDR Editor; Glad for Bill as he moves on to his next career. Yet, I must admit being a bit saddened by this development. He ranks 2nd in dual meet wins for North Carolina coaches and is in the top 20 nationally. Missed working on the state tournament with him this year. Oh, well, Good Luck Bill.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
By RUDY COGGINS rcoggins@newsargus.com
Why leave?
Bill Edmundson asked himself that question on many occasions. His coaching friends couldn’t believe he’d retire with two state champions and three state runners-up still hovering in “The Nest” at Rosewood. “I had almost a year to think about, pray about it,” Edmundson said. “I pretty much decided last July that this was going to be it. We kept it from the team, didn’t want it to be a distraction. “I probably could have been talked out of it at some point.” The past four seasons have been the dream every coach works and lives for in their career. It’s a road map drafted from a humble beginning that included elation from intense victories, disappointment from tough losses and the belief of a community that embraced a sport that’s become yet another cornerstone in Rosewood’s athletics history. All the memorabilia has been packed away. But one item remains visible — a scrapbook assembled by Kim Sullivan that documents every year since 1993. The names might have slipped Edmundson’s mind on occasion, but the once he views the faces, the memories flow.
Rest of the story at http://www.newsargus.com/sports/archives/2018/06/24/prep_wrestling_edmundson_built_rosewood_into_1a_powerhouse/

June 24, 2018 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Thomas Hudson of Dixon awarded the James Johnson Trophy Award

State Champion Thomas Hudson of Dixon High School was presented one of the annual James Johnson Award trophies as the best senior scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina in 2018 at his school’s Awards Night. This award is named in honor of three time Greco-Roman national champion James Johnson. For the second consecutive year more than one award will be given. James Johnson awards will also be presented to Jeremiah Derby of First Flight and Beau Studebaker of East Carteret. All three finished as an unbeaten state champion in a dominate fashion in their weight class this year.
Thomas has been an outstanding multi-sport student athlete at Dixon High School with a
career wrestling record of (158-53), going 54-0 and winning the state title this year. He has the second most career wins in school history. He proudly shared his biggest thrill this season was winning the state tournament by “pinning everyone on the way up.” Thomas qualified for the state tournament three times, placing 6th as a sophomore, and twice won the Eastern Region Championships. Thomas has also excelled in football. He lettered in varsity football all four years, was a starter for the last three, two time all-conference offensive linemen and recognized as an All-Area player his senior year.
He did not neglect his academic studies. Thomas is an AP student, maintaining a 4.2 GPA. He plans to attend ECU this fall, and to wrestle on the club team. He looks to study sports medicine and to become an athletic trainer. His older brother Tyler and his mother encouraged him to start wrestling in the 6th grade. Thomas’ mother, was an enthusiastic wrestling fan yet she passed away the night before his first Varsity Tournament his freshman year. “Tyler has been inspirational for me and wrestling taught me how to work hard and never give up. He and my coaches helped improve my conditioning and moves on top” Thomas shared. Coaches Dal Tomlinson and Christian Brothers stated that coaching Thomas “ was a great pleasure to coach and that he was the most dedicated to his team and family.” Thomas boasted of his teammate, Devin Gerena, who improved from “Below .500 as a first year sophomore to 4th in the state as a senior.” His toughest and most memorable opponent this year was junior Joshua Crump of West Craven. They met four times, including the regional and state finals.
Previous award winners were Carlos Martinez of First Flight (2017), Will Newbern of West Carteret (2017), Tanner Stamper-Smith (2016) of Havelock, 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. This award is for the most successful wrestler in eastern North Carolina. Fleming noted, “It is more expensive to have multiple awards yet each undefeated state champion senior wrestler deserves to be recognized.” “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 has encouraging media coverage of wrestling in North Carolina for over 20 years. 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 started 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. James has also 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, and Olympic Team Alternate. He has been an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 20 years. More at http://jjchamp3x.com/.

June 24, 2018 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment