Takedown Report

State Champions Mark Samuel & Devon Bell of Laney named for James Johnson Memorial Award

            Undefeated State Champions Devon Bell and Mark Samuel of Laney High School will be presented the 26^th & 27^th Annual James Johnson Memorial Award trophy as the top senior scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina in 2022.  The award is named in honor of three-time Greco-Roman national champion James Johnson.  More news and details of the awarded wrestlers will be posted after the presentations on May 4^th.  

            In previous years the award winners were River Carroll of West Carteret in 2021, Tyler Hughes and Christian Decatur of C.B. Aycock and Bryan Argao of North Brunswick in 2020, 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 for over 20 years 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, & https://takedownreport.wordpress.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 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 was an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 20 years.  Johnson passed away in September, 2019 after coaching the USA Juniors Greco-Roman team at the World Championship in Estonia. 

May 3, 2022 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized