Ryan Mann presented the Lee Carroll Award for 2023
State Finalist of Northeast Carolina Prep High School named the 25th Lee Carroll Award winner for excellence in athletics, academics and sportsmanship in northeastern North Carolina last season. The TakeDown Report Editor, Martin Fleming and Lee Carroll will present the award at a time and location to be determined.
In his first two years of high school, Ryan has won the East Regional this year after placing 2nd in his freshman year. He went on to place in the state championships both years. In 2022 he became his school’s first state medalist in wrestling with a 4th place finish with a (40-4) record.
In the 2022-23 season, Ryan won individual tournament titles at the several tournaments such as the Pierce-Davis Memorial at North Pitt, the USAF Eagle Invitational at Rosewood, the Falcon Invitational at C.B. Aycock, and the Paul T Mills Memorial where he was named the M.O.W. (most outstanding wrestler) of the tournament. Ryan was undefeated leading into the state finals and led in the match until the final 5 seconds He finished the season with a (56-1) record and his career record is (96-5).
Ryan’s goal for his Junior year at NECP this fall is fairly straight forward; to be the 1A State Champion. In conversations over the past months, Ryan has also expressed an interest at competing at the college level.
Lee Carroll started wrestling his sophomore year when Tarboro High School re-started 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.
Last year Caleb Beatty of Corinth-Holders won this award. Other previous award winners include 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 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.
Ian Fritz of Topsail H.S. named the ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winner
Ian Fritz of Topsail H.S. is the ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winner as the top Underclassmen wrestler in Eastern North Carolina in 2023
State champion Ian Fritz of Topsail H.S. will be presented the Roy Heverly Award this fall at a home football game. The Heverly Award is for the top underclassman scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina for the 2023 season. Fritz completed his sophomore season with 51 wins and just 2 losses to out of state wrestlers at the nationally ranked Beast of the East tournament. His career record so far is (94 – 5) with a 4th place finish at the state tournament his freshman year. He has also won two Regional Championships. On his path to the 4A State Championship Fritz defeated a 3x Finalist and 1x state champion Brandt Fajerman in the semifinals. He faced the defending State Champion Eli Murray in the finals and defeated him by a Tech Fall.
In the month following the state championship Ian won four of six matches at the National High School Coaches Association national tournament in Virginia Beach. His losses were in a close 6-5 decision to the 3rd place finisher and to the 7th Place finisher by a 5-3 decision. Both wrestlers were from the Buckeye State of Ohio. Academically Ian has maintained a 4.3 GPA in school and earned his teammates respect as they voted him Team Captain as a Sophomore. He is “Hands down the hardest worker in the room” according to his coaches. Ian is a strong candidate to repeat as champion next season. More details of the day and time of the presentation in the fall shall be announced later.
Previous ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners
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/
Wrestling – The World’s Oldest Sport
TDR Editor’s Notes; A much younger North Carolinian wrestling fan Milt Sherman presented this video as part of his Master’s thesis while a graduate student at East Carolina University. It may take a few seconds before the video starts yet it is well worth the wait. Thank you Milt for completing and sharing this with other wrestling fans.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Bellarmine Wins NCWA Title Past Liberty; Allen Earns Fourth Title
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Bellarmine’s four national champions along with a runner-up and three third-place finishers secured its first team title at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Devan Hendricks, the Knights’ senior 174-pounder who won his bracket with a third-period pin over Grand Valley State’s Josh Kenny, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler.
The Knights’ 206.5 team points outlasted Liberty’s 189.5 total with the finalists as the difference. Liberty won all three of its finals matches at 197, 235 and 285 but didn’t have the second- and third-place finishes to counter Bellarmine. The Apprentice School won a tight battle for third place with 135 points, edging Springfield Tech Community College (fourth, 133.5) and Grand Valley State (fifth, 131).
Jack Parker opened the finals session with a pin in the 125 title match, taking down Bruno Alves of Apprentice in 4:17. Zac Cowan scored a 22-7 tech fall over Thomas McCane of Central Florida in the 149 bout. McCane was the 2022 national champion at 141 pounds while wrestling for Florida. Bellarmine then won back-to-back titles at 165 and 174. Cole Nance won his 165 bracket by fall over Talon Pisarchuk of the Williamson School of the Trades before Hendricks claimed his national title.
One of the evening’s highlights came in the 235 bracket when Jeff Allen of Liberty became the most decorated male wrestler in association history with a fourth consecutive national title. Allen is the first NCWA male wrestler to win four individual national titles, this one by taking a narrow 5-4 win over Zeke Alleman of Utah Tech. Allen scored a takedown with 36 seconds left in the match to take a 5-3 lead before yielding an escape before time ran out. Allen, a senior from Monroe, Va., also won national titles in 2022, 2020 and 2019. There was not an NCWA national tournament in 2021 due to COVID protocols. Four (4) women have accomplished the 4-peat but in much smaller brackets with the most successful of the four being Samantha Frank of the University of Maine, who also won 4 MOW awards. … rest of story at NCWA.net/news/2023/bellarmine-wins-ncwa-title-past-liberty-allen-earns-fourth-title
Wrestling wins NCWA National Championship, claims four individual titles
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A historic season for Bellarmine wrestling finished in a fitting way on Saturday in Puerto Rico. The Knights claimed a NCWA National Championship as a team, and four Bellarmine wrestlers earned individual titles in their respective weight classes.
Competing against 73 opponents from the United States and Puerto Rico, Bellarmine topped the charts with 206.5 team points. Liberty, after claiming last year’s NCWA Championship, finished second.
Jack Parker (125), Zac Cowan (149), Cole Nance (165), and Devan Hendricks (174) all won their weight classes at the Great Lakes Championships, and all did so once again on the national stage. Hendricks was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
“What a cool way to cap off our third season in transitioning into Division I,” Knights Head Coach Ned Shuck said. “So thankful the NCWA provided us with an opportunity to have a National Championship as we wait for our first opportunity to compete in the Division 1 postseason.”
Parker went 5-0 at 125 in dominant fashion, earning four pins and a tech fall. He topped Bruno Alves of Apprentice with a pin at the 4:17 mark of the championship bout.
Cowan put up similar results, totaling a 5-0 record with two pins and three tech falls at 149. The SoCon All-Freshman Team honoree defeated Thomas McCane of UCF by tech fall 22-7 (7:00) in the final match.
Nance tallied a 6-0 record at 165, racking up four pins and two major decision victories. In the championship match, he pinned Talon Pisarchuk of Williamson College of the Trades (3:57).
Hendricks went 5-0 with two pins, two tech falls, and a major decision win at 174. The senior pinned last year’s JUCO champion, Josh Kenny of Grand Valley State, at the 6:48 mark of the championship match.
Thadd Huff earned second place at 285, going 4-1 with a pair of pins. Huff fell in the title match to Frederick Weaver of Liberty.
Michael Schiffhauer nabbed third place, wrestling eight times at 133, posted a 7-1 record with a major decision, tech fall, and pin. Schiffhauer defeated Blake Schmitt of Liberty in the third place match. … rest of story at Bellarmine.edu/news/2023/3/11/wrestling-wins-ncwa-national-championship-claims-four-individual-titles
OTTAWA-ARIZONA TAKES NCWA WOMEN’S CROWN WITH FOUR CHAMPIONS; BELLARMINE CLAIMS MEN’S TITLE WITH FOUR CHAMPIONS
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Bellarmine, the NCAA team in the Southern Conference which is going through its transition to Div. I, earned four champions and eight total All-Americans to capture the men’s title at the NCWA Nationals on Saturday. Bellarmine scored 206 points, followed by Liberty, with three champions and 12 All-Americans and 189.5 points.The Apprentice School was third with 135 points, with Springfield Tech in fouth with 133.5 points and Grand Valley State in fifth with 131 points.
Ottawa-Arizona claimed the women’s team title, scoring 120 points, ahead of runner-up Grays Harbor with 80 points. The top five including third-place Big Bend CC with 41 points, fourth-place Washington State with 36.5 points and fifth-place M.I.T. with 34 points.
In the women’s finals, Ottawa-Arizona had four champions in Jennifer Alcott (101), Hermelinda Mendoza (109), Lyqualah Kinsey (116) and Julia Mata (155), two runners-up and two fourth-place finishers.
All four Ottawa-Arizona champions scored pins in the finals. Mendoza repeated as national champion with her pin of Daniela Suttles of Grand Canyon in 2:23. Alcott pinned Caley Kling of Colorado State in 48 seconds. Kinsey pinned Mia Armstron of Texas-Arlington in 1:36. Mata put away Leilani Frazier of Santa Rosa JC in 1:26.
Runner-up Grays Harbor had an individual champion, Renaeh Ureste (191), one runner-up, four third-place finishers and a fourth-place athlete. … rest of story at Teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2023/March/11/NCWA-wrap
Steffey Named 2023 Olivia Award winner
Angelica Steffey of Croatan High School named the 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd straight state title. She went 3-2 against boys. She is only the 2nd 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.
Top All-Time NAIA Coaches in Dual Meet Wins
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This list of college coaches by the number of dual meet victories in which they led their teams while coaching in the NAIA. Coach Milton Marttn coached at Westmar College for 37 years until the school closed in 1997. He is the top coach with almost 200 more wins than the 2nd place coach, Bob Riehm of Southern Oregon. Franky James of Campbellsville moved past Mike Macholz of Missouri Valley into 5th place among all-time coaches. He will probably move into 3rd after next season. It is challenging to keep accurate records with NAIA schools yet we desire to acknowledge the coaches and teams in that division. Listed are just the top 50 coaches but we seek to keep track of all. We welcome input, information and reactions to us at martinkfleming@gmail.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ALL-TIME NAIA Coaches – Top 50 with at least 45 wins
- Milton Martin (Westmar) 462 – NAIA
- Bob Riehm (Southern Oregon) 270 — NAIA
- Gerald E. “Jerry” Hampton (Graceland U.) 238 – NAIA
- Mike Ritchey (Southern Oregon) 236 – NAIA
- Franky James (Campbellsville) 235 – NAIA
- Mike Machholz (Missouri Valley) 232 – NAIA – retired in 2022
- Vern Tate (Huron – SD Si Tanka) 201 – NAIA
- Bill Hughes (Black Hills State) 187
- Clayton Ketterling (Waynesburg/Dickinson St.) 170 inc.
- Nick Mitchell (Grand View College) 169
- Mike Jones (Simon Fraser) 162 inc
- Don Lemnus (Valley City State) 158
- Corey Ruff (Lindsey-Wilson) 135
- David Ray (So. Illinois-Edwardsville, Montana State) 134
- Caleb Schaeffer (Providence Univ./Great Falls) 133 – NAIA
- Fran Hummel (Northern State, Midland Lutheran) 131
- Milo Trusty (Univ. of Mary) 128
- Tom Jarman (Taylor College) 128
- Rodger Jehlicka (Adams State) 127
- Thadd O’Donnell (Dickinson State) 121
- Arnold Brandt (Morningside College) 121
- Tyson Thivierge (Montana St. Northern) 114
- Caleb Schaeffer (Great Falls Univ.) 104
- Jess Wilder (Univ. of Cumberlands) 101
- Archie Randall (Oklahoma City Univ.) 97
- Jake Stevenson (Morningside College) 97
- K.C. Rock (Embry-Riddle College) 92
- Dana Vote (Doane, Midland, Concordia) — 91
- Omi Acosta (Life University) 86
- Jeff Bedard (Reinhardt Univ.) 86
- Rik Dahl (Northwestern College) 84
- Thomas Pompei (Indiana Institute of Technology) 84
- Joey Martinez (Menlo) 80
- Todd Allen (Williams Baptist/Cumberland Univ.) 69 – retired?
- James Kisgen (McKendree College) 66 – school now active in Div.II
- James Hicks (Cumberland Univ.) 66
- Steven Bradley (Marian Univ.) — 60
- Brian Jackson (Missouri Baptist) 58 inc.
- Joe Privitere (Briar Cliff) — 56
- Beau Vest (Dana-Midland) 55 – now at another division
- Lenny Zalesky (Calif. Baptist) 55 – now at another division
- Cody Garcia (Baker College) 54 – now at another division
- Keith Spataro (Menlo College) 52
- Jake Brumbelow (Midway, Emman., B-P-Coll.) – 52 – retired in 2022
- Aaron Meister (Wayland Baptist) 51
- Joe Baranik (St. Andrews) 50
- Jordan Countryman (Univ. of the Cumberlands) – 46
- Zach Mullins (Graceland Univ.) — 46
- Dan Lovell (Jamestown Univ.) — 45
- Dustyn Azure (Eastern Oregon) 45
Top Active NAIA Coaches in Dual Meet Wins
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This list of college coaches by the number of dual meet victories in which they led their teams while coaching in the NAIA. With only a few NAIA wrestling programs in the southeast there are limited connections to North Carolina. Yet Franky James is fairly close in Kentucky with the Campbellsville team and he has moved past Mike Macholz into first place among active coaches. Coach Macholz retired before last season but he is listed for recognition before he fades from the lsit next year. Congratulations for a successful career. Most NAIA schools are in the midwest and mountain regions of the west. It is challenging to keep accurate records with NAIA schools yet we desire to acknowledge the coaches and teams in that division. Listed are just the top 25 coaches but we seek to keep track of all. We welcome input, information and reactions to us at martinkfleming@gmail.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ACTIVE Coaches – Top 27 with at least 45 wins NAIA
- Franky James (Campbellsville) 235
- Mike Machholz (Missouri Valley) 232 – retired in 2022
- Nick Mitchell (Grand View College) 169
- Corey Ruff (Cumberlands/Lindsey-Wilson) 135
- Tyson Thivierge (Montana State Northern) 114
- Jake Stevenson (Morningside College) — 97
- K.C. Rock (Embry-Riddle College) – 92
- Dana Vote (Doane, Midland, Concordia) — 91
- Omi Acosta (Life University) — 86
- Jeff Bedard (Reinhardt Univ.) — 86
- Rik Dahl (Northwestern College) — 84
- Thomas Pompei (Indiana Institute of Technology) 84
- Joey Martinez (Menlo) — 80
- Todd Allen (Williams Baptist Coll., Cumberlands) – 69 – retired ?
- James Kisgen (McKendree College) — 66 school now in Div. II
- James Hicks (Cumberland Univ./Darton — 66
- Steven Bradley (Marian Univ.) — 60
- Brian Jackson (Missouri Baptist) — 58 inc.
- Joe Privitere (Briar Cliff) — 56
- Lennie Zalesky (Calif. Baptist Univ.) — 55 – now a D-I school
- Beau Vest (Dana-Midland) — 55 – coaching now at another level
- Cody Garcia (Baker College) — 54 coaching now at another level
- Jake Brumbelow (Midway, Emman., B-P-Coll.) — 52 – retired in 2022
- Zach Mullins (Graceland Univ.) — 46
- Jordan Countryman (Univ. of the Cumberlands) –46
- Dan Lovell (Jamestown Univ.) — 45
- Dustyn Azure (Eastern Oregon) — 45
Nathan Lackman wins DIII national wrestling title with OT win over his brother
BROTHERS NATHAN AND MATT LACKMAN MEET IN FINALS OF DIII WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Roanoke, Va. — Rhode Island College senior Nathan Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.) defeated his brother, Alvernia junior Matt Lackman (Wernersville, Pa.), 3-1, in sudden victory to win the individual national championship at 165 pounds at the 2023 NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championship on Saturday evening.
Nathan, who was the No. 1 seed, and Matt, the No. 2 seed, at 165 lbs. each came into the finals having won their previous three matches at the tournament.
After a scoreless first period, Matt notched an escape 10 seconds into the second stanza. Nathan answered back 46 seconds into the third period to knot the bout at 1-1.
The match headed into overtime and Nathan struck for a takedown 50 seconds in to win an individual national title and earn All-American honors for the second consecutive season. He was the NCAA Div. III National Champion at 157 lbs. as a junior in 2021-22. … rest of story at NCAA.com/news/wrestling/article/2023-03-12/nathan-lackman-wins-diii-national-wrestling-title-ot-win-over-his-brother
R.C. LaHaye named the The Open Mat Div. II Coach of The Year
GREENWOOD – Awards continue to find the Lander wrestling team as head coach R.C. LaHaye was recently named The Open Mat Div. II Coach of The Year.
Competing in just its fourth season as a program, LaHaye has established Lander as one of the premier wrestling programs in the country.
Ranked No. 2 this season and finishing as the National Runner-up, LaHaye produced six All-Americans this season. James Joplin, Elijah Lusk, Zeth Brower, David Hunsberger, Logan Hall and Juan Edmond-Holmes all finished in the top eight in the 2023 National Championships while Hall placed second at 184.
“I am extremely grateful for this honor,” said coach LaHaye. “None of this could have been possible without the hard work of our assistant coaches, Chris Freije and Micheal Elliott, and most importantly our student-athletes here at Lander.”
Most recently Hall was named a finalist for the NWCA Div. II Wrestler of The Year while David Hunsberger was named a finalist for the NWCA Div. II Rookie Wrestler of The Year while also being named The Open Mat Div. II Freshman of The Year.
LaHaye and his staff guided the Bearcats to a 20-2 overall record and a spotless 10-0 record in the SACC. The Bearcats won their first Super Region II team title with a record-breaking 164 points. The Blue and Gold also saw seven Super Region Champions among the nine National Qualifiers.
Lander claimed its second straight SACC Championship title after defeating No. 18 UNC Pembroke 30-7 at Horne Arena. … rest of story at Landerbearcats.com/news/wrestling-r-c-lahaye-named-the-the-open-mat-div-ii-coach-of-the-year
UNC’s O’Connor, Pitt’s Bonaccorsi Named ACC Co-Wrestlers of the Year
Virginia Tech’s Henson voted ACC Freshman of the Year, Hokies’ Robie repeats as Coach of the Year
GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor and Pitt’s Nino Bonaccorsi, who each posted unbeaten seasons and claimed NCAA individual titles, have been selected as the 2022-23 Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Wrestlers of the Year by the league’s head coaches.
Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson, who won a conference title and earned All-America honors at 149 pounds, was voted the ACC Freshman of the Year. The Hokies also picked up the 2022-23 ACC Wrestling Coach of the Year award, as Tony Robie was recognized for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in seven seasons.
O’Connor, a grad student from Lockport, Illinois, outlasted Penn State’s second-seeded Levi Haines for a 6-2 victory in the 157 pounds two weeks after claiming the ACC Championship gold medal. O’Connor secured his second NCAA wrestling title after first winning at 149 pounds in St. Louis in 2021.
Bonaccorsi, a redshirt senior from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat South Dakota State’s Tanner Sloan for the gold medal at 197. Bonaccorsi, who also won the ACC Championship in his weight class, became the Panthers’ first NCAA champion since current head coach Keith Gavin won at 174 pounds in 2008.
ACC wrestlers have now won 22 all-time individual NCAA titles. This marks the first year the conference has had multiple national champions in the same year since 1994 when Clemson’s Sam Henson won at 118 pounds and North Carolina’s TJ Jaworsky won at 134.
O’Connor (23-0) became the program’s first five-time All-America honoree, the Tar Heels have posted multiple All-America wrestlers for five-straight years, and the National Finals has seen a UNC wrestler compete in the finals the past three seasons. … rest of story at ACC.com/uncs-o-connor-pitts-bonaccorsi-earn-co-acc-wrestler-of-the-year-honors
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
