Takedown Report

State Champion Timothy Decatur of Rosewood High School named for the ‘James Johnson Award’ as top Senior Scholastic Wrestler in Eastern North Carolina.

            State Champion Timothy Decatur was presented the 21^st Annual James Johnson Award trophy as the top senior scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina in 2019 at the Athletic Awards Day at Rosewood High School earlier this week. The award is named in honor of three time Greco-Roman national champion James Johnson.  Decatur is a 4 time State Medal winner, and he holds the school record for career wins and the most wins by a wrestler in North Carolina since the annual match limit has been in effect.  Most impressively he is a three time state champion and four time regional champion.
            In previous years award winners were Beau Studebaker of East Carteret, Jeremiah Derby of First Flight and Thomas Hudson of Dixon in 2018. 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 has for over 20 years promoted amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors the Award.  This award is for the most successful senior 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 young men from 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 TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List that is displayed on the TDR Blog page.  Contact the TDR at takedownreport@gmail.com, & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/ J 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.  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 11, 2019 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized