Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Sophia Marshall of Rosewood and Anna Ockerman of Corinth-Holders named Olivia Neal Award winners for outstanding wrestling

State Champions Anna Ockerman of Corinth-Holders High School and Sophia Marshall have been named the 5th and 6th Annual Olivia Neal Awards as the 2025 Most Outstanding Female scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina.  The award is for inspirational and successful senior female wrestlers in eastern North Carolina that encourage more girls to take advantage of opportunities in wrestling. 
The first award was given to Isabel Rodriguez of Dixon in 2022.  Other previous award winners include Angelica Steffey of Havelock in 2023, Lillian Prendergrast of South Brunswick and Kamilah Brooks of Pasquotank County in 2024.  All award winners were included in The TDR Top 12 Girls’ teams with their name engraved on a wooden plaque.
Girls’ wrestling is rapidly growing with 45 states having sanctioned girls state wrestling championships.  North Carolina sponsored the first sanctioned state championship tournament in the 2023-2024 last season.   This increases the opportunities for student development.
In 2008 Olivia Neal became the first female wrestler in North Carolina to qualify for the varsity state tournament.  She wrestled for Rosewood High School for four years.  Her participation generated publicity for the sport, and she pinned her first state tournament opponent.  This inspired a growing number of girls in eastern N.C. to try wrestling. 
The TakeDown Report sponsors the Award and promotes wrestling in eastern North Carolina by reporting results and encouraging media coverage. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com and check https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/.

(L-R) Ath. Dir. JasonKing, Coach Jshua ordon, Sophia Marshall, Asst. Coach Rick Nobers and Josh Marshall.

May 20, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment