Takedown Report

Michael Stokes Awards presented to Fike wrestlers

Aaron Bancroft and Jayleen Bullock were recently presented their Michael Stokes Awards for being the best senior wrestlers in the Tar-Neuse River counties. Both were undefeated state champion wrestlers in their senior year, Bancroft in 2020 and Bullock in 2021.

Undefeated State Champion Aaron Bancroft of Fike High School won his 2^nd state title in 2020 in the 3-A 170 lbs. Division with 51 wins.  Last year he was named the Lee Carroll Award winner as top underclassmen in the area.  Aaron also has earned his 4th TDR Top 12 engraved wooden plaque this year as being a top wrestler in his weight class in eastern North Carolina.  Jayleen Bullock completed his senior season in late June with a state title, undefeated record and a TDR Top 12 plaque to finish off his career at Fike.           

In 2019 Bancroft earned his first State Champion medal, at 160 pounds, with a (52-1) record.  His only loss was to a Virginia State Champion in finals of the WRAL Holiday tournament.  He was the first state champion in wrestling for Fike.  As a sophomore, Bancroft won his first district title yet fell short of placing at the state tournament while finishing with a (49-5) record.  As a freshman Aaron had a (45-6) record, placed 2^nd in districts and placed 5^th in the state tournament. His overall scholastic career record is 197 wins and 12 losses in his four years of competition.

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 126 lbs. 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 Ray Darden of Ayden-Grifton and Jordan Todd of Rosewood tied for the award in (2019), Michael King of North Pitt (2018), 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 over 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.

January 21, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment