Takedown Report

Steffey Named 2023 Olivia Award winner

Angelica Steffey of Croatan High School named the 2^nd Annual Olivia Neal Award winner.

Picture is of the 2022 Olivia Neal Award with the TDR banner in the background

State Champion Angelica Steffey of Croatan High School will receive the 2^nd Annual Olivia Neal Award as the 2023 Most Outstanding Female scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina.

Angelica went 28-0 this year against girls and won her 2^nd straight state title.  She went 3-2 against boys.  She is only the 2^nd 2 time state champion in Croatan High School history along with Ryan Blackwell.  Blackwell has recently been named to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.  She plans to wrestle in college next year and is currently choosing between two schools.  She desires is to study Architectural Engineering.  Prior to this season, she was a 3 year starter for the Croatan High School boy’s team.  Angelica led both the boys and girls on the Croatan team this year with a total of 24 pins.  She is also a ‘TDR Top 12 Girls’ wrestler’ and received an engraved wooden plaque. 

The award is for the most inspirational and successful female wrestler in eastern North Carolina.  In 2022 Isabel Rodriguez of Dixon High School was awarded the first Olivia Neal.  Rodriguez has gone on to wrestle at Division II University of Mount Olive, as a member of their inaugural team. 

Girls’ wrestling is growing at a rapid rate with over 35 states having sanctioned state championships in girls wrestling.  North Carolina will join these states in sponsoring a sanctioned state championship tournament in the 2023-2024 season.   The number of students participating in wrestling will continue to grow in our communities and these opportunities will assist in the growth of those who participate.

Olivia Neal was the first female wrestler in the state to qualify for the varsity state tournament.  She wrestled for Rosewood High School for four years.  There was a great deal of publicity, and she pinned her first opponent at the state tournament.  This inspired a growing number of girls in eastern N.C. to try out wrestling. 

            The TakeDown Report has promoted amateur wrestling for over 20 years in eastern North Carolina reporting wrestling results and encouraging media coverage of the sport.  Fleming noted, “We desire to encourage wrestlers and teams in this area to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top notch wrestler,” he added.   The TakeDown Report sponsors the Award. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com  or call (252) 883-3311.   Fans are invited to check our blog at https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/The-TakeDown-Report-235098404048/ or on Twitter Martin Fleming‏ @MFlemdog.

2022 Olivia Neal Award winner Isabel Rodriguez of Dixon with her current University of Mount Olive coaches.

April 10, 2023 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized