SEWrestling Top NC Wrestlers
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following are part of Ryan Mitchell’s SE Wrestling web site’s listing of the top wrestlers. Interesting material and we encourage all fans to read the complete story at his page. We have highlighted the wrestlers from eastern N.C. and the names of all the Top 10 on the list. Check it out.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE TOP 50 WRESTLERS OF THE LAST 10 YEARS
This list is meant to shine some light on some incredible careers. This list is complied of the best careers of N.C. high school wrestlers over the last ten year period, 2011-2020. I decided on this time frame because I wanted to compare the recent crop that just graduated to the rest of the field. When creating this list I took into account career accomplishments, the individual seasons and how they did on the national scene (Super 32, Fargo, NHSCA and Flonationals). The most weight went to overall career within the state of N.C. So, the more you placed at the state tournament and more titles you won the higher you could be. There is always recency bias but I tired to avoid that as much as possible and look at it objectively. No college results were taking into account otherwise Michael Macchiavello would be a clear number one. I stuck strictly to their high school careers. I did not put anyone on this list who has not finished their career yet. As you can imagine there are some extremely tough calls to make. Hope you enjoy.
-Ryan Mitchell @RyasksFRL
I start this list off with some Honorable Mentions. Mostly because these wrestlers were amazing and needed to be recognized. They are in no particular order.
HM. Carlos Martinez, First Flight (SQ-1-1)
HM. Aaron Bancroft, Fike (5-SQ-1-1)
HM. Javon Armstrong, Pamlico (1-2-1)
HM. Joe Sculthorpe, Topsail (2-1-3-DNC)
HM. Nick Quillen, Rosewood (2-1-1)
HM. Kevin Saravia, Laney (2-1-1)
HM. Kaleb Taylor, Rosewood, (1-1)
HM. Alex Monaco, First Flight (SQ-3-1-2)
HM. Angel Najar, North Pitt (6-2-3-1)
HM. Harrison Campbell, West Brunswick (1-1)
HM. Arien Leigh, First Flight (4-1-2)
48. Jeremiah Derby, First Flight (6-1-2-1)
Derby is the only wrestler from his county that has placed at the state tournament four times. The two time champion and three time finalist slides in ahead of Billings due to having a win over him in the semifinals at the state tournament in their sophomore campaigns. Jeremiah also beat Landon Shuford, a state champion and three time finalist, in the finals his senior season. Derby also got a bump for leading a First Flight team with five wrestlers to a state tournament title.
38. Beau Studebaker, East Carteret (1-1-1)
Studebaker won three state titles during his magnificent career for East Carteret. He also named NCHSA Male athlete of the year in 2018.
31. Blaine Mainz, Jacksonville (4-1-2-1)
Mainz placed top four for all four years of his career. He made three state finals and won two titles. Mainz accomplishments are great but what make his career legendary are his wins at the state tournament. During his senior season he beat Phil Daub, who is number 41 on this list, in the semifinals. Then in the title bout he beat Spencer Leonhardt, who would win two state titles the next two years. But more impressively during his sophomore title run he had the biggest win/upset over the last ten years when he beat Mitchel Langford in the finals to prevent Langford from being a four time champion. Honestly, I am not sure if I have ever heard a louder moment at the state tournament then when Mainz scored the takedown in overtime to win.
30. Jordan Todd, Rosewood (2-1-2-1)
Being in the state finals every year of your high school career is special. Todd is our first four time finalist on our list. He won 1A state titles in his sophomore and senior years. Todd also won over 200 matches in his career.
28. Timothy Decatur, Rosewood (1-3-1-1)
Decatur held the wins record in the match limit era until this year, when his younger brother broke it. He won three state titles for 1A powerhouse Rosewood capturing the first one as a freshman.
20. Wilson Smith, Rocky Mount (3-1-1-DNC)
Smith was unable to finish out his career but his accomplishments are enough to put him on this list. Wilson won two 3A state titles and his only state tournament loss was to two-time state champion, Heath Gleaton. Wilson owns a win over Tyler Gregor at the WRAL during his senior season. He was a multi-time Fargo All-American including a runner-up finish.
13. Quincy Monday, Carrboro (1TX-1TX-1-1)
To be honest, if Quincy has spent his first two years of high school in North Carolina he would be number one on this list. He won four state titles with the last two in North Carolina.
12. Christian Decatur, Rosewood/CB Aycock (2-1-1-1)
Decatur is the current record holder for career wins in the post-match limit era. He was impressive in his career right from the start making four state finals and wining three titles. Decatur ended his career on a 154 match winning streak. He is also a hammer in the international styles placing sixth in Junior Greco at Fargo.
10. Josh Blatt, North Henderson/Piedmont (1-1-2-1)
9. Carson Smith, SE Guilford (2-1-1-1)
8. Ethan Oakley, Providence Grove/Wheatmore (1-2-1-1)
7. Kobe Early, Cary (2-1-1-1)
6. Mitchel Langford, North Henderson (1-1-1-2)
5. Harrsion Honeycutt, Lake Norman (5-1-1-1)
4. Nick Coe, Asheboro (4-2-1-1)
3. Parker VonEgidy, Piedmont (6-1-1-1)
Landing at number three may be the best takedown artist that North Carolina has ever had in VonEdigy. ,,,
2. Nick Kee, Scotland (3-1-1-1)
Kee was a super stud from the get go when he placed third at 145 as a freshman. …
1. Garrison White, JM Robinson (2-1-1-1)
The number one wrestler of the past ten years is Garrison White! White was a guy who was outstanding in all three positions and had very little to no holes in his game. White came bursting onto the high school scene when his freshman season he was undefeated all the way to the state finals before falling to two-time state champion, Ben Creed. ….
Complete list and explanations at http://www.southeastwrestling.com/bestofNC
HSOT Honors Wrestler of the Year
All-time wins leader Christian Decatur named 2020 HSOT Honors wrestler of the year
By Jordan Hadding, HighSchoolOT reporter
Christian Decatur is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the NCHSAA history but on Wednesday night he added HSOT Honors wrestler of the year to his laundry list of accolades.
The win makes Decatur the second family member to win the award in as many years, after his brother Timothy won the award in 2019.
“I am very honored to be nominated next to those four guys,” Decatur said. “It is an honor to win it but all of those guys work just hard.”
Decatur began wrestling while living in Virginia but did not commit to the sport right away. During his eighth grade year he saw his brother wrestle for a state title which motivated him to full focus on the sport of wrestling. … Rest of story and video at https://www.highschoolot.com/all-time-wins-leader-christian-decatur-named-2020-hsot-honors-wrestler-of-the-year/19114499/?fbclid=IwAR3e6d8CHFo4ViQluHwsij-ph5BT0gzZBiuPIjM7cUpdE3Q4loxdvBVCrj4 and https://www.highschoolot.com/all-time-wins-leader-christian-decatur-named-2020-hsot-honors-wrestler-of-the-year/19114499/?version=amp&fbclid=IwAR1pfgyIZKpIf2JpMSLCrstH5ieGVLR69F_zaDKgX_iKyvLfMGbwWjFWs_A
Carolinas’ Colleges News – # 7
1 } – WolfPack Wrestling Announces Top-10 Signing Class
RALEIGH, N.C. – Coming off a second straight ACC Championship and a No. 3 final ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll after an undefeated dual season, the NC State wrestling team has inked a top-10 signing class to join the squad for the 2020-21 season. NC State’s recruiting class was ranked eighth nationally by FloWrestling. It marked the third time in the last five years the Wolfpack has been ranked in the top-10 nationally, and this is the third straight class ranked in the top-20 by FloWrestling.
The class was also ranked sixth nationally by TheOpenMat and eighth by InterMat. “It might be one of the best ever, as far as the mentality, work ethic, the quality, total package of kid that you want,” said head coach Pat Popolizio. “It’s very low-risk bringing these guys in, both academically and lifestyle. …. rest of story at https://gopack.com/news/2020/4/27/wrestling-packwrestle-announces-top-10-signing-class.aspx?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Chad Walsh: My Wrestling Hero
This is the third installment of a multi-part series that shines a light on the idols who influenced prominent wrestlers and coaches. The series continues with the perspective of Chad Walsh, a two-time All-American at Rider. Walsh, now an assistant at Davidson, shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero, 2009 NCAA champion Darrion Caldwell.
These are Walsh’s words on his wrestling hero:
“I’ve got one guy — Darrion Caldwell. It started before the Metcalf match. It started at New Jersey High School states. I’m pretty sure he ended up being a three-time state champ, …. rest of the story at … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1588011080962&twSessionId=hddvaxrqld&postId=780031135&mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Catching Up With the ‘Cats: Andy Lausier
First there were spotlights. Then there were takeovers. Now we’re also Catching up with the ‘Cats!
It’s our way to connect you with those who wear the red and black. …. rest of the story at … https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2020/4/29/wrestling-catching-up-with-the-cats-andy-lausier.aspx?mc_cid=09298b3e7a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Belmont Abbey
Kenn Caudell started the Crusader wrestling program at Belmont Abbey in 2005, and still leads the BAC program today. In 15 years there have been 20 to make the trip to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships for Belmont Abbey, with three of those Crusaders making it to the podium as All-Americans.
“Belmont Abbey Wrestlers live a SHIELD lifestyle,” Caudell said. “The SHIELD lifestyle encompasses striving to be the best version of yourself in ALL aspects of one’s life. In addition to developing good wrestlers our program builds great people.”
The Crusaders will be led by a pair of returning National Qualifiers from 2020, with one of those wrestlers earning NWCA All-American status. Josh Blatt, the Super Region 2 Freshman of the Year, lost just one match against Division II competition last season, and was also named the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year …. rest of story at … https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-belmont-abbey/77891?mc_cid=2bb0dedacc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – What Wrestling Did For Me – #123 Kenny Monday – Olympic Gold medalist
Kenny Monday is one of the great wrestlers of all time. He’s a 3x Olympian, winning gold in 1988 and silver in 1992. By winning gold in ‘88, he became the first African American to win a wrestling gold medal. Kenny wrestled for Oklahoma State and won an NCAA title as a senior, after finishing 2nd as a junior and sophomore. Throughout his career, Kenny had two epic rivalries, one of which was with Nate Carr …. rest of story and podcast at … https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/monday/?mc_cid=09298b3e7a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – From NC State Singlets to D1 Coaching Attire
RALEIGH, N.C. – A trio of recent NC State Wrestling alums went straight into the D1 coaching ranks after they helped the Pack win the 2019 ACC Championship. Hear how Sean Fausz (Cal Poly), Malik McDonald (Clarion), and Justin Oliver (Buffalo) all went from Raleigh into the next phase of their professional careers. … Watch this at https://gopack.com/news/2020/5/14/wrestling-from-nc-state-singlets-to-d1-coaching-attire.aspx?mc_cid=04edd3f4d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – 2020 ACC Champion and second-team All-American Jakob Camacho – NCS67
With head coach Pat Popolizio still trying to get his charcoal grill lit, host Brian Reinhardt didn’t have time to wait for Episode 67, so he reached out to Connecticut native and 2020 ACC Champion Jakob Camacho to hold down the fort. Camacho was the No. 10 seed at the 2020 NCAA Division I Championships but didn’t get to compete …. rest of story at … http://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/pack-mentality/2020-acc-champion-and-second-team-all-american-jakob-camacho-ncs67/?mc_cid=a518fb1f79&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – East Carolina University Athletics Announces Program Changes
GREENVILLE, N.C. – East Carolina University announced Thursday that it is reducing the number of its intercollegiate athletic programs by four, effective immediately. The action is being taken as part of the University’s overall budget restructuring efforts and is part of a detailed analysis of ECU’s athletics financial position during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Affected programs are men’s swimming and diving, women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis and women’s tennis. The move affects 68 student-athletes and nine coaches. ECU previously led the American Athletic Conference with 20 sports (following the departure of Connecticut) and will now have 16 sports (9 women’s, 7 men’s). …. rest of story at … https://ecupirates.com/news/2020/5/21/general-ecu-athletics-announces-program-changes.aspx?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – Competitive fire still burns inside WPIAL wrestling legend Cary Kolat
Complete story at … https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/hsother/2020/05/20/cary-kolat-jefferson-morgan-wpial-wrestling-penn-state-lock-haven-usa-olympics-campbell-navy/stories/202005200004?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Why wrestling programs should consider their impact on waste reduction efforts
If you didn’t know, April 22nd is Earth Day. We live on a beautiful planet with landscapes as diverse as the population. At Transition Wrestling we think everyday should be lived Earth consciously, but we’re glad to see one day collectively recognized by all.
But why write about Earth Day on a wrestling news site? Well, wrestling events have an impact on waste reduction efforts and programs have a social and environmental responsibility to ask some tough questions. Many sporting events and sports programs support the consumption and production of waste-heavy products. This is not surprising given the concession-order, convenience driven, nature of competitive sport events. Athletes and coaches are focused on performance; spectators are focused on matches in the venue. Depending on geographic location, …. rest of the story at … https://www.transitionwrestling.com/why-wrestling-programs-should-consider-their-impact-on-waste-reduction-efforts/?mc_cid=547ad9bd30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Top Active Coaches in Dual Wins – Women’s College Teams
ACTIVE Women’s Coaches– Top 6 with 50 or more wins
- Jason Moorman (King Univ.) 126
- Sam Schmitz (McKendree Univ.) 66
- Lee Miracle (Campbellsville) 65
- Donnie Stephens (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 54
- Aaron Meister (Wayland Baptist College) 53
- Brian Jackson (Missouri Baptist) 52 – inc.
We welcome input and information on coaches and records of women’s wrestling teams.
UNDEFEATED SENIOR SEASON EARNS BRYAN ARAGAO ‘JAMES JOHNSON’ AWARD
LELAND, NC (WWAY)–Four years of hard work was capped off in matter of minutes for North Brunswick High School wrestler Bryan Aragao. At the 2020 state tournament he wrapped up his senior season undefeated and claimed his first state title in the process. “It was the best feeling, especially going undefeated,”says North Brunswick High School graduate Bryan Aragao. “Nobody can say they beat you. You went out there and you dominated everybody. This is exactly what I wanted. It was in my mind from the start to the finish.” The work on the wrestling mat earned him the Takedown Report’s James Johnson award. The award is given out annually to the best scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. The selection committee says Bryan’s work ethic made this selection an easy choice. …. rest of story and video at https://www.wwaytv3.com/2020/05/28/undefeated-senior-season-earns-bryan-aragao-james-johnson-award/
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 