Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Ribustello named the 2025 Lee Carroll Award winner

            Stephen Ribustell0 of Tarboro High School was presented with the 27th Annual Lee Carroll Award on May 20th.  He is a 2 time state finalist as he ended his junior season in a sudden victory overtime in the 1-A State Championship match.  It was a successful season as he scored his 100th career win and repeated as a State Runner-Up.  In three seasons he has qualified for the State Championships each year while amassing a scholastic record of 109 wins and just 12 losses. TDR Editor Martin Fleming and Tarboro coach Kevin Rawls made the presentation to Stephen at the school’s sports awards assembly.
            Lee Carroll started wrestling as a sophomore when Tarboro High School re-started their program in 1992.  Lee won 112 matches in 3 years with the Vikings.  Lee was state runner-up his junior year before becoming a record setting undefeated state champion in 1995 with a (50-0) record.  Lee went on to start four years at North Carolina State qualifying for the Nationals 3 times.  Lee has taught engineering graphics at N.C. State and has his own interactive design agency, Forged Media, in Raleigh.  He is a member of the Tarboro High Athletic Hall of Fame.
Previous award winners include Holton Quincy in 2024 and Ryan Mann (2023) of North East Carolina Prep School, Caleb Beaty of Corinth-Holders (2022), Logan Tortual of Rosewood (2021). Javon Armstrong of Pamlico County (2020), Aaron Bancroft of Wilson-Fike (2019), Timothy and Christian Decatur of Rosewood (2018), Jaqwuez Norman of Farmville Central (2017), Kaleb Taylor of Rosewood (2016), Wilson Smith of Rocky Mount (2015 & 2014), Angel Najar of North Pitt (2013), Alexander Knight and Jacineto Williamson of Rocky Mount in 2012, Chris Fess of Beddingfield and Tamaris Lane of Nash Central in 2011, Chandler Phillips of Rocky Mount (2010), Landon Lucas of SW Edgecombe (2009), Corey Smith (2008) and Eric Sutton (2007) of Tarboro, Zach Shearin and Paul Horner (2006) and Pat Anstead (2004) of Southern Nash, Jimmy McNamara (2005) of Wilson Hunt and Sammi Hadi (2003) of SW Edgecombe.

The TakeDown Report promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina, sponsors these Awards.  “The awards are to recognize successful wrestlers in the our area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with another opportunity for all to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler,” he added.  The TDR ranks wrestlers in the ‘TDR Top 12’ as displayed on the TDR Blog page. The TDR has been involved in reporting wrestling results and encouraging media coverage of amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina for over 25 years.  Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com and check our blog at https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/The-TakeDown-Report-235098404048/

THS Coach Kevin Rawls and Stephen Ribustello

May 23, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment