Takedown Report

2020 James Johnson Award winners

The 2020 James Johnson Award will be presented to three undefeated state champions seniors. The three won 172 matches this year
            State Champion Bryan Aragao, 182 lbs., of North Brunswick High School was presented the 22^nd Annual James Johnson Award trophy last week. He shares the award this year with undefeated state champions Christian Decatur – 113 lbs, & Tyler Hughes – 152 lbs., of C.B. Aycock High School.  They will be presented at a time and place to be announced. The award is named in honor of 3 time Greco-Roman national champion & Olympic Coach James Johnson.  
            Previous award winners were Timothy Decatur of Rosewood in 2019, 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 promoted amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors the Award.  This award is for the most successful senior wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. Fleming noted, “It is more expensive to have multiple awards yet we see each undefeated state champion senior wrestler as deserving 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,
            James Johnson started wrestling 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.  
            “J.J.” as his friends often called him died last September in Arizona due to health complications developed while coaching the USA Juniors Greco-Roman team at the World Championships in Estonia.  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 1, 2020 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized