Roy Heverly Awards 2026
State champions Tobin McNair of Wakefield, Luke Padgett of Croatan, and Ashton Tennessee of West Johnston have earned the ‘Roy Heverly Award’ as top Underclassmen Wrestlers in Eastern North Carolina in 2026. McNair repeated as an award winner and as an undefeated state champion. McNair became the first 165 State Champion in the newly created 8A division.
Luke Padgett won the first 190 State Championship in the new 5A division by a 1-0 decision over Harrison Compton of Seaforth H.S. Padgett’s only loss in over 50 matches was in overtime a week earlier in the regional finals. Tennessee also won the first 132 State Championship in the new 6A division. Tennessee’s only loss of the year was in mid-season to 1A/2A State Champion Holton Quincy of North East Carolina Prep in Tarboro.
(West Johnston coach John Fox and State Champion Ashton Tennessee)
Previous ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners
2025 Tobin McNair of Wakefield
2024 Ian Fritz of Topsail and Ryan Mann of N.E. Carolina Prep
2023 Ian Fritz of Topsail
2022 Alex Hopper of Wilm. Laney
2021 Caleb Beaty of Wake Forest and Mark Samuel of Wilm. Laney
2020 River Carroll of Swansboro and Mark Samuel of Wilm. Laney
2019 Christian Decatur of Rosewood
2018 Alec Sampson of Hoggard
2017 Beau Studebaker of East Carteret
2016 Harrison Campbell of West Brunswick
2015 Blaine Mainz of Jacksonville
2014 Joe Sculthorpe of Topsail
2013 Matteson Correll of Topsail
2012 Nick Quillen of Rosewood and Tyler Ross of Jacksonville
2011 Jake Smith of Havelock
2010 Marquin Hill of Washington
2009 Ryan Blackwell of Croatan
2008 Charlie Millea of Havelock
2007 Frank Hickman of Wilm. Laney
2006 Sean O’Laker of Croatan
2005 Eddie Sawyer of Currituck Co.
2004 Brian Lashomb of Currituck Co.
2003 Raymond Jordan of New Bern,
The award is named in honor of former state champion Roy Heverly, a 4 time state medalist at West Carteret and three time All-American at The University of North Carolina-Pembroke. The TakeDown Report, an on-line publication promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina, sponsors these Awards. “These awards recognize the most successful wrestlers in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the teams in the eastern part of the state with another opportunity for others to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top wrestler,” he added. The TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List that is displayed on the TDR Blog page. The TDR has been involved in the publicity of amateur wrestling in North Carolina for over 20 years. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com, (252) 883-3311 & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
The 2026 Offseason Coaching Carousel (5/1/2026)
The coaching carousel heated up late this week as a trio of moves was made public over Thursday and Friday. One of the worst-kept secrets, as far as coaching news goes, was Drake Ayala joining the Iowa State staff.
Earlier this year, Ayala just finished his career at the University of Iowa. While in Iowa City, Ayala earned All-American honors on three occasions. He made the NCAA finals in 2024 and 2025, before taking fifth at 133 lbs in Cleveland.
Hiring Ayala marks the first staffing change for the Cyclones under the leadership of Brent Metcalf. In mid-April, Metcalf was elevated to Iowa State’s head coaching post after Kevin Dresser stepped down to become the Director of Wrestling Operations. Ayala is an Iowa native who was deemed the #4 overall recruit after a career at Fort Dodge High School. His addition should only make the Iowa/Iowa State rivalry more fun going forward.
Sticking with the Big Ten, Maryland announced their latest hire this afternoon, Gavin Hoffman. Hoffman was a 2021 NCAA All-American for Ohio State and qualified for nationals on three occasions for the Buckeyes and Lock Haven. Hoffman was actually on staff for Lock Haven during the 2024-25 campaign and returned to the mat for the second semester.
Hoffman competed collegiately at 197/285 lbs and will … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/the-2026-offseason-coaching-carousel-512026-r100992/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Kokesh Added to Nebraska Staff as Green Steps Away
Wednesday brought us two bits of news regarding coaching at Nebraska. The first item was that James Green confirmed what had been rumored for a few weeks now – that he’s stepping down from his position with the Cornhusker wrestling staff.
Over the weekend, Green won the 74 kg title at the US Open and therefore has clinched a spot in Final X. It will mark the third time that Green has appeared in Final X and he’s seeking to make his eighth world team appearance. Green stated that he will continue training at Nebraska over the summer until his next move is official.
Replacing Green on the Nebraska staff is a familiar face in three-time All-American Robert Kokesh. Kokesh starred for the Cornhuskers from 2012-15 and finished third at the NCAA Championships on two occasions and fourth one time. He also won a pair of Big Ten championships and was the #1 seed at the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
This will be Kokesh’s second stint on the coaching staff at his alma mater. He was previously an assistant from 2019-23. After his graduation, Kokesh also served … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/big-10/kokesh-added-to-nebraska-staff-as-green-steps-away-r100989/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
College wrestling: Ranking the Top 10 transfer additions so far
The college wrestling transfer portal is closed for entries, but the commitments are not done yet. Still, there’s plenty of data to take a look at so far when it comes to the best additions this cycle.
Looking at the landscape of the additions for teams that had needs, previous accolades and more, On3 put together 10 transfers in college wrestling that certainly stand out. Stanford keeping guys like Tyler Knox and Hunter Garvin were not included even after they entered the portal, since they returned to their original institution.
There was plenty of talent that did not make the cut. And we all know how wrestling transfers can be extremely random, especially for the graduate transfers year to year. But, here’s a look, as of May 3rd, at the top college wrestling transfer additions.
1. Vince Robinson, NC State to Nebraska (125 lbs.)
Robinson is the crown jewel among the transfer additions in college wrestling. The 2025 NCAA champion and two-time All-American surprisingly left NC State with two years remaining to head to the Big Ten.
He’ll plug in right away and has a chance to return to the top of the podium in 2027. A loaded college room and RTC, Mark Manning and crew should be a nice refresh for Robinson to end his collegiate career over the next two years. Robinson previously said there was no bad blood with the NC State crew, so it’ll certainly take some getting used to seeing him rock a Huskers singlet.
2. Ryan Crookham, Lehigh to Iowa (133 lbs.)
Crookham had an argument for No. 1 transfer this cycle, but the lack of an NCAA title plus his injury history certainly played a factor. At his best, Crookham is one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in the country.
Injuries derailed his last two seasons after a third place finish at the weight in 2024. He’s 11-1 the last two years but it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be in 2026-27. If he’s like his old form, Crookham is a definite NCAA title threat in a loaded weight class of young bucks.
3. Zan Fugitt, Wisconsin to Missouri (133/141 lbs.)
Fugitt was an All-American for Chris Bono and the Badgers in 2025. However, he missed the podium in March and elected to hit the portal to return closer to home for his final two years.
He’s been 133 his whole career but could go 141 as well. Brian Smith knows Fugitt is a welcome addition down low in the Tigers’ lineup as they bolster the lightweights. With Fugitt and another transfer on this list, Missouri looks pretty darn strong next … more at … https://www.on3.com/news/college-wrestling-ranking-the-top-10-transfer-additions-so-far/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Wolverines Add Zepeda from Transfer Portal with Four Years of Eligibility
By: Leah Howard
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan Ron Weiser Head Wrestling Coach Sean Bormet announced Thursday (April 30) the addition of transfer Daniel Zepeda to the Wolverine program. Zepeda, who spent his first collegiate season at North Carolina State, has four years of eligibility remaining and projects at 149 or 157 pounds.
“Daniel is exactly the kind of competitor we want at Michigan — tough, disciplined and still rising,” said Bormet. “He comes out of an outstanding high school program and one of the toughest wrestling landscapes in the country in California. He’s proven himself in elite competition and brings an exceptional mentality that fits our room. I know he and Moses [Mendoza] are thrilled to be together again, and we’re thrilled to have another incredible brother combo in our program.”
Zepeda posted a 9-1 record for the Wolfpack this past season, taking first place at the Reno Tournament of Champions and second at the Southern Scuffle — both at 157 pounds — before a knee injury prematurely ended his season. He earned bonus points in seven of his nine wins, including five falls.
A native of Gilroy, Calif., Zepeda was a three-time California state champion for Gilroy High School and head coach Daniel Cormier. He posted a career prep record of 149-7, including a perfect 52-0 record as a senior. In freestyle competition, Zepeda was a 2024 junior national champion at 144 pounds and a three-time Fargo All-American. … more at … https://mgoblue.com/news/2026/4/30/wrestling-wolverines-add-zepeda-from-transfer-portal-with-four-years-of-eligibility?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 