Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Holton Quincy presented the 2026 Lee Carroll Award

(above Martini Fleming, Holton Quincy & Lee Carroll)
Holton Quincy presented the 2026 Lee Carroll Award

       State Champion Holton Quincy of North East Carolina Prep High School is the 28th Lee Carroll Award winner for excellence in athletics, academics and sportsmanship by an underclassman in eastern North Carolina in 2026.  The TakeDown Report Editor, Martin Fleming and Lee Carroll presented the award at his school’s athletic awards night at Edgcombe Community College.

            In his three years of high school, Holton has earned two state titles and a runner-up place in his sophomore season.  He has won three Regional titles and over 160 matches.  This is his second Lee Carroll Award as Holton was named in  2024.  He went on to place in the state championships each year.  Holton will seek his third state title in his Senior year at North East Carolina Prep.  Houlton has also expressed some interest in competing at the college level. 

            Lee Carroll started wrestling his sophomore year when Tarboro High School restarted the sport in 1992 with Butch Sadler as his coach.  Lee won 112 matches in just 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 as an adjunct professor and has his own interactive design agency, Forged Media, in Raleigh.  He has been recognized and inducted in the Tarboro High Athletic Hall of Fame.

            In 2025 Stephen Rubistello of Tarboro High won this award.  Other previous award winners include Ryan Mann of NECP in 2023, Caleb Beatty of Corinth-Holders (2022), Logan Tortual of Rosewood (2021), Javon Armstrong of Pamlico County (2020), Aaron Bancroft of Fike (2019), Christian and Timothy Decatur of Rosewood in 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 has promoted amateur wrestling for over 25 years in North Carolina reporting results and encouraging media coverage of the sport.  Fleming noted, “We desire to encourage wrestlers and teams in this area to realize hard work, determination and discipline can reward 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/.  

June 1, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Wrestlers of the Year Presentation

(above: Faith Bane & Sara Koenig)

(above: Sly Bentley & Martin Fleming)

2026 Tricia Saunders Award: Faith Bane – New Bern High School                        
Competing at 145 pounds, Bane has been ranked in the top five nationally by USA Wrestling and FloWrestling. She is a three-time regional champion and three-time state qualifier in North Carolina. Bane captured the 2024 state championship and finished runner-up in 2025. In 2026, she advanced to the state semifinals before being forced to withdraw due to an injury.

Bane has achieved success on the national level in freestyle and folkstyle. She is a two-time North Carolina freestyle state champion and a three-time National High School Coaches Association All-American. She was runner-up at NHSCA championships 2024 and champion in 2025. She earned All-American honors at the USA Wrestling US Open High School Showcase, finishing 3rd.  In 2025, she placed fifth at the Fargo Junior Nationals and earned All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at Super 32 Challenge. She also finished third at the prestigious Beast of the East tournament in Delaware this past season.

In addition to her high school accomplishments, Bane has competed in four college open tournaments, reaching the finals twice against collegiate competition. She also earned varsity letters in track and field during her freshman and sophomore years. A member of the National Technical Honor Society, Bane carries a 3.2 GPA while balancing a demanding schedule.  Bane will continue wrestling at Life University and will study Sport Health Science

2026 Dave Schultz Award: Bentley Sly – Stuart Cramer High School        
Sly wrapped up a stellar high school career by becoming just the 15th wrestler in NCHSAA history to win four state titles. His 2026 title run was a dominant 3-0 performance at the state tournament with two pins and a technical fall without surrendering a single point. His career record in high school is 210–6. Sly was named Big South Wrestler of the Year four times, earned team MVP honors from 2023 to 2026, was named Stuart Cramer’s male underclassman athlete of the year, and served as a four-year team captain.

On the national stage, Sly is a three-time NHSCA All-American, highlighted by a runner-up finish this past April. He also finished 3rd at NHSCA Nationals in 2025 and 6th in 2024. In 2025, Sly boasted a 4th-place finish at Super 32, 4th place at the Walsh Ironman, and a 6–2 performance at Fargo Junior Nationals.  Sly reached the blood round at Fargo Junior Nationals in 2024. 

Off the mat Sly maintains a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and Beta Club. He volunteers as a coach at youth clinics and tournaments, giving back to the wrestling community. He will continue his wrestling career at Appalachian State University and will major in Risk Management & Insurance.

June 1, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment