Takedown Report

Caleb Beaty named winner of the 2022 Lee Carroll Award

State Champion Caleb Beaty of Corinth-Holders High School has been named the 2022 Lee Carroll Award recipient.  Caleb repeated as an undefeated state champion at 195 lbs. in the 4-A division this year as a junior.  The 24th Lee Carroll Award is for excellence in athletics, and sportsmanship by an underclassman wrestler in eastern North Carolina.  Details of the time and place for the trophy presentation shall be determined in the coming weeks.  Earlier presentations were postponed due to the difficulties in scheduling due to the CoVID-19 health crisis.         

            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.

            Logan Tortual of Rosewood was the Lee Carroll Award wrestler for the 2021 season.  Other previous award winners include Javon Armstrong of Pamlico County in 2020, Aaron Bancroft of Wilson Fike High School (2019), and brothers Christian and Timothy Decatur of Rosewood tied for this award as top-level underclassmen wrestlers 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.

April 19, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Award Plaques – update

The TDR Top 12 Wooden Plaques have been mailed and are expected to arrive this week at the following schools. It would be appreciated if the coach and/or wrestler would email us when they receive them.
One each have been sent to Ayden-Grifton, Bunn, C.B. Aycock, Croatan, Currituck County, Dixon, East Carteret, Fike, First Flight, Heritage, Hertford County,, Hoggard, New Bern, NorthEast Carolina Prep, Roanoke Rapids, and South Brunswick.
Two plaque awards have been sent to each of the following schools ; Clayton, Corinth-Holders, D.H. Conley, J.F. Webb, Wake Forest and West Carteret.
More will be packaged and sent by the end of the month.

April 19, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Raheem Jones named for the 31st Michael Stokes Award

Undefeated State Champion Raheem Jones of North Pitt High School won his state title in the 2-A 182 lbs. Division with 42 wins.  After placing 3^rd his freshman year he did not place the next two years.  Raheem also earned his 3rd TDR Top 12 engraved wooden plaque this year as the top wrestler in his weight in eastern North Carolina.  More details will be announced once a time and place for the award presentation is determined.

Michael Stokes wrestled the 1981-1984 seasons at Tarboro High School and with a (96–4) career record.  He was North Carolina’s 2nd 3-time State Champion when there was only one individual champion at a weight in the state. He wrestled for N.C. State and won ACC wrestling titles in 1988 and 1989 and was named the ACC Most Valuable Wrestler both years.  His record of 68 wins 8 losses and 3 ties (.879) is the best career winning percentage at NC State.  He finished second at the NCAA Nationals at 126 lbs. in 1989 to Kendall Cross, the eventual Olympic Gold medalist. Stokes co-captained the Wolfpack in 1989 and one of the ACC’s all time 50 greatest wrestlers as recognized during the conference’s 50th anniversary celebration.  Stokes credits wrestling as “providing me with a mental toughness that enables me to remove boundaries that stand in my way.  Wrestling has given me the sheer determination to believe that I can conquer anything that I set my mind to do.”

            Previous Stokes Award wrestlers include Ray Darden of Ayden-Grifton and Jordan Todd of Rosewood tied for the award in (2019), Michael King of North Pitt (2018), Quadarrius Hopkins of Tarboro (2017), Wilson Smith of Rocky Mount (2016), Angel Najar of North Pitt (2015), Reggie Huff of Southern Nash (2014), David Guevara of Tarboro (2013), Alexander Knight and Jaciento Williamson of Rocky Mount (2012), Xavier Najar of North Pitt (2011), Joe Young of Northern Nash (2010), Corey Smith of Tarboro (2009), Jasmine Cooper of Nash Central (2008), Eric Wischhusen, (2007), Roylando Lucas (2001) and Ira Bing (2000) of Southern Nash, John Brewer (2006), Aaron Bancroft (2020) and Jayleen Bullock (2021) of Wilson Fike, Anthony Taylor (2005) of Rocky Mount, Sammi Hadi (2004) and Ryan Huffman (1997) of SouthWest Edgecombe, Charles Washington (2003) of Northern Nash, Quadric Eason (2002), Mike Christopher (1999 & 1998), Tony Mercer (1996) and Lee Carroll (1994 & 1995) of Tarboro.                       The TDR promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors this award.  “The awards are to recognize great wrestlers from before and the current ones for their efforts,” Editor Martin Fleming noted.  The TakeDown Report has promoted scholastic wrestling for over 20 years in North Carolina and encourages coverage of the sport.  Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com or https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/ or ‘The TakeDown Report’ on FaceBook.

April 18, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

HighSchoolOT’s All-State wrestling team for the 2022 season

HighSchoolOT’s second annual all-state wrestling team features 45 repeat selections from a year ago.

Avery County’s Levi Andrews, Corinth Holders’ Caleb Beaty, Laney’s Mark Samuel, Pinecrest’s Matt Rowland, Central Cabarrus’ Jackson Baglio, Mallard Creek’s Cameron Stinson, Surry Central’s Jeremiah Price, South Rowan’s Jacob Cox, Central Academy’s Brady Ross, Aiden Curry, and Kyle Montaperto were the lone 11 repeat first-teamers.

Andrews and Montaperto are four-time N.C. High School Athletic Association champs, just two of the 11 to ever earn that distinction. The teams are listed below with each wrestler’s record and postseason finish with career postseason finish in parentheses (ex: 1-1-1-2 would mean the wrestler finished first in his weight class during his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons, but finished second as a senior).

There are two wrestlers per weight class on the first, second, and third teams respectively. Then, 20 honorable mention all-state wrestlers are selected without regard to weight class (for instance, 106 pounds could have three HM all-state wrestlers, while 113 could have zero).
Three wrestlers from the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association made the team, as did one undefeated wrestler who was unable to compete in the state championships (Central Cabarrus’ Charleston Baglio, a state champ in 2021, made the honorable mention team).

Wrestlers are listed alphabetically within their respective teams.

All-State Wrestling Team

106 pounds

1st team: Noah Cauble, Piedmont (junior) — 45-6, 4A champ (DNQ-4-1)
1st team: Jackson Rowling, Hough (freshman) — 40-2, 2nd in 4A (1)
2nd team: Samuel Aponte, Cape Fear (sophomore) — 32-3, 3A champ (SQ-1)
2nd team: Lawson Vang, Bunker Hill (senior) — 38-3, 2A champ (DNQ-DNQ-SQ-1)
3rd team: Kane Bryson, Pisgah (freshman) — 38-2, 2nd in 3A (1)
3rd team: Alexis Panama, Robbinsville (sophomore) — 30-6, 1A champ (DNQ-1)

113 pounds

1st team: Charlie Sly, Stuart Cramer (junior) — 48-3, 3A champ (DNQ-3-1)
1st team: Cameron Stinson, Mallard Creek (sophomore) — 46-0, 4A champ (1-1)
2nd team: Cooper Davis, Cox Mill (sophomore) — 33-5, 2nd in 4A (DNQ-2)
2nd team: Liam Hickey, Cardinal Gibbons (freshman) — 44-3, 3rd in 4A (3)
3rd team: Joey Bruscino, Southeast Guilford (junior) — 47-6, 5th in 4A (5-4-5)
3rd team: Eli Pendergrass, Northwest Guilford (sophomore) — 47-4, 4th in 4A (SQ-4)
HM: Charleston Baglio, Central Cabarrus (sophomore) — 25-0, N/A-injured (1-DNQ)

120 pounds

1st team: Noah Luna, Providence (junior) — 34-0, 4A champ (4-2-1)
1st team: Matt Rowland, Pinecrest (senior) — 44-1, 2nd in 4A (4-5-1-2)
2nd team: Jackson Baglio, Central Cabarrus (junior) — 32-0, 3A champ (3-1-1)
2nd team: Tristan Hale, South Davidson (senior) — 51-0, 1A champ (DNQ-SQ-1-1)
3rd team: Trevor Freeman, A.L. Brown (sophomore) — 36-4, 3rd in 4A (2-3)
3rd team: Ian Fritz, Topsail (freshman) — 43-3, 4th in 4A (4)
HM: R.J. James, Reidsville (sophomore) — 36-2, 2A champ (2-1)
HM: Brayden Mejia, Fred T. Foard (sophomore) — 45-4, 3rd in 3A (1-3)
HM: Connor Wishon, Ledford (senior) — 40-6, 2nd in 3A (DNQ-SQ-SQ-2)

126 pounds

1st team: Kyle Montaperto, Central Academy (senior) — 40-0, 3A champ (1-1-1-1)
1st team: Mark Samuel, Laney (senior) — 43-1, 4A champ (5-1-1-1) … rest of the story at https://www.highschoolot.com/highschoolot-all-state-wrestling-team-for-the-2022-season-first-team-second-team-third-team-honorable-mention/20230910/

Wrestlers from eastern North Carolina TDR coverage area include
120 lbs. – 3rd team – Ian Fritz, fr. (Topsail)
126 lbs. – 1st team – Mark Samuel, sr. (Laney)
132 lbs. – 3rd team – Ethan Blevins, jr. (Topsail)
138 lbs. – Hon. Men. – Avery Buonocore, jr. (Laney)
160 lbs. – 3rd team – Owen Harshbarger, sr. (Laney)
170 lbs. – 1st team – Alex Hopper, jr. (Laney)
170 lbs. – Hon. Men. – Cole Reynolds, sr. (West Carteret)
182 lbs. – 1st team – Devon Bell, sr. (Laney)
182 lbs. – 2nd team – Raheem Jones, sr. (North Pitt)
195 lbs. – 1st team – Caleb Beaty, jr. (Corinth-Holders)
195 lbs. – 3rd team – Milosz Gargol, sr. (First Flight)
285 lbs. – Hon. Men. – Taevion Cox ,jr. (New Bern)

April 16, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

18th “HALL OF FAME DAY” CELEBRATION – MAY 22, 2022

ONE OR MORE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CLASS OF 2022 HONOREES AND THE NATIONAL
WRESTLING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND THE 18th
“HALL OF FAME DAV” CELEBRATION ON MAY 22, 2022 AT THE FRIDAY CENTER IN
CHAPEL HILL.
THE SOCIAL WILL BEGIN AT 2:00 P.M. WITH DINNER SERVED AT 3:00 P.M.
THE AWARD PRESENTATION WILL FOLLOW DINNER.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS BANQUET IS TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR
YEARS OF COMMITMENT AS POSITIVE ROLE MODELS TO OUR STUDENT ATHLETES. THE
CLASS OF 2022 HAS GIVEN COUNTLESS HOURS OF THEIR TIME INSTILLING IN YOUNG
PEOPLE THE SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCEED IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE. THE LIFETIME SERVICE
TO WRESTLING AWARD IS FOR YEARS OF DEDICATION TO THE SPORT OF WRESTLING AS
A COACH, OFFICIAL, OR CONTRIBUTOR. THEY WILL BE PERMANENTLY RECOGNIZED AT
THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM IN STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA.

The Class of 2022

“Lifetime service to wrestLing” award

Ron Bare
Al Crawford
Tim Ellenberger
Greg Hinson
Rodney James
Barry Justus

This is an opportunity for you to honor these great individuals and promote
the positive aspects of our oldest and greatest sport—“Wrestling”!
a registration form for the “Hall of Fame Day” celebration will be sent upon request.
Please complete the appropriate sections and return to the address listed.
We are looking forward to May 22th—a great day for North Carolina’s
outstanding individuals and the sport of wrestling.
North Carolina can be proud of these deserving honorees.
Yours in wrestling,
Rex wells, President
North Carolina Chapter

RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: National Wrestling Hall of Fame
North Carolina Chapter
123 Foxden Drive #204
Fletcher, NC 28732
Or purchase online at: http://nc-nwhof.ticketleap.com/2022/
Your tickets will be at the registration table that day. If you purchase tickets online, please e-mail the names to
rexwells1977@gmail.com to have name tags made.

April 15, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Award Trophies

The Trophies have arrived and the winners will be announced soon. The top award trophies for eastern North Carolina wrestlers will be presented for the 21st year this spring.

March 28, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | 2 Comments

TDR Top 12 Award Plaques

For 25 years the TakeDown Report has ranked the Top 12 wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. These
wrestlers have been recognized in press releases, with certificates and even on TDR T-Shirts for a dozen years. This year will be the 18th season in which the very best of these wrestlers will be recognized with their name engraved on a wooden plaque for them. The plaques have been ordered and once they are received they will presented to the wrestlers and their coaches.

The following 45 wrestlers are listed by weight class and then sorted in alphabetical order. The full listing of the TDR Top 12 in each weight class in ranking order will be posted soon.

March 25, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The 2022 Dan Hodge Trophy Presented by ASICS Fan Vote

Vote by Friday!

Hodge Trophy Voting Criteria:

1 – Record

2 – Dominance/Bonus-Point Percentage

3 – Quality of Competition

4 – Sportsmanship

How the Hodge Trophy Selection Process Works:

Like the Heisman Trophy, all past Hodge winners get an official Hodge Vote for each year they won the award. The additional Hodge Trophy Votes from the Hodge Trophy Voting Committee made up of national wrestling media, a retired college coach from each region, a representative of each national wrestling organization, and the Official Fan Vote on WIN’s website, which accounts for (5) Official First-Place Ballots. … profiles and rest of story at https://www.win-magazine.com/2022/03/21/the-2022-dan-hodge-trophy-presented-by-asics-fan-vote/

March 23, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

North Pitt’s Raheem Jones

Raheem Jones is a senior wrestler at North Pitt High School who recently won the 182-pound 2A state title.

He finished the season with an undefeated record of 42-0, becoming just the second wrestler in program history to win a state title.

Jones spoke with The Daily Reflector prep sports writer Craig Moyer about his state title, the work that went into it and his plans for continuing the sport at the next level.

Q: What does winning a state title mean to you?

A: It means a lot to me. I overcame a lot of obstacles to get here. It was a big journey for me in my life, and for me to be able to be a state champion means a lot.

Q: What does it mean to you to be North Pitt’s second-ever champion?

A: I am one of the few that can say they became a state champion and to be the second one here feels great.

Q: What you were feeling in the final moments of the match?

A: It was a tough match because I have a torn bicep and the night before when I was wrestling my last match of the day, I yanked down on it and I messed it up more. I went into the final match hurting, so that match was just about defense, playing it safe and not getting in bad positions where I could mess up my arm.

Q: How did you change your wrestling style in the match due to your injury?

A: The biggest thing was working on moves and setups and trying to set him up to attack me so I could just sprawl and get behind. The guy was not big on shots, so that was kind of hard and I had to shift my mind while I was wrestling and worry about how I am going to score my two points first and then work on defense. I have been working on a move all year in practice. It’s the arm drag. I really didn’t think I was going to hit it in a season just because it’s a risky move. For me to be able to pull it off in a state championship match and the last match of my career was great. … rest of story at Greenville Daily Reflector local/prep-spotlight-north-pitts-raheem-jones/article

March 19, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Return to ESPN, March 17-19, Live from Detroit

• Three straight nights of primetime wrestling on ESPN; 19 hours of live coverage overall
• ‘MATCAST’ to present individual feeds of every mat for all sessions on ESPN3, Command Center second-screen viewing option for Saturday night’s championship matches
• Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and NCAA Wrestling All-American Daniel Cormier joins as analyst

The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships return to ESPN networks with 19 hours of live coverage from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit this weekend, March 17-19. ESPN will cover every mat and every single match from start to finish, including three nights of primetime wrestling action on ESPN’s flagship network. Coverage will also feature a ‘MATCAST’ viewing option on ESPN3, as well as a Command Center second-screen experience for every championship match on Saturday night.

ESPN has presented the NCAA Wrestling Championships since 1980, making it one of the longest-running events on the network.

ESPNU will televise the early sessions over three straight days, beginning with three-and-a-half hours of first-round action on Thursday, March 17, at noon ET. The Quarterfinal (Friday) and Medal Round (Saturday) will also air on ESPNU. The three nights of primetime sessions on ESPN – including the Second Round (Thurs.) and Semifinals (Fri.) – will culminate Saturday, March 19, at 7 p.m. with the Championship matches in each weight class.

The ‘MATCAST’ option will be available through the Medal Round via ESPN3 and the ESPN App. The presentation will show multi-boxes of all the mats so fans never miss a single point. This year, ESPN is adding a dedicated announce team to further bolster the “MATCAST’ coverage. During Saturday night’s finals, the Command Center on ESPN3 will offer unique commentary as well as ISO cameras focused on coaches, family and friends, unique angles from an overhead jib, mat-side robotic cameras, and more with a collection of the most respected names in the wrestling community providing commentary. … rest of the story at https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/03/ncaa-division-i-wrestling-championships-return-to-espn-march-17-19-live-from-detroit/

TDR Editor’s Note : Great opportunity for wrestling fans to see and support televised coverage of top quality wrestling.

March 16, 2022 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment