Canadian Wrestling Championships (Senior, Junior, Cadet) head to Edmonton
OTTAWA— The Canadian Wrestling Championships (Senior, Junior, Cadet) will take place next week, May 29-31, in Edmonton at the Clare Drake Arena on the University of Alberta campus. This premier wrestling event features three age groups of competitors all vying for the title of national champion and a spot on one of Canada’s national teams. “We are absolutely thrilled to be returning to Edmonton for the upcoming Canadian Wrestling Championships (Senior, Junior, Cadet),” said Tamara Medwidsky, CEO of Wrestling Canada Lutte. “Edmonton has always been a passionate and supportive wrestling community, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to once again showcase the best of Canadian wrestling in such a vibrant city. This event plays a critical role by determining our national champions and selecting members of Canada’s national teams—athletes who will go on to represent our country on the international stage. It’s an exciting event for our sport and we can’t wait to witness the incredible talent and determination that define Canadian wrestling.”
“2025 is a very exciting year for the Friends of the World Cup of Wrestling Society. Not only do we get to welcome the wrestling community to Edmonton for the national championships, but we are also celebrating our 35th anniversary, as an organization,” said Kelly Rich, Event Chair / Friends of the World Cup of Wrestling Society. “Our host organizing committee and volunteers are looking forward to hosting the over 600 participants from across the country, … more at … https://wrestling.ca/canadian-wrestling-championships-senior-junior-cadet-head-to-edmonton/
T.J. Jaworsky Looks Back At His Storied Career
he three-time NCAA champ will receive a big honor this weekend.
By: Steve Kirschner
Note: T.J. Jaworsky will be inducted into the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sunday May 18.
A three-time NCAA champion in perhaps the most physically grueling individual sport there is. Most Outstanding Wrestler in the NCAA Tournament. National Wrestler of the Year. Undefeated senior season.
Given that lofty list of accomplishments, it is undeniably fair to include T.J. Jaworsky, even 30 years after his final collegiate match, as one of the finest to ever compete in any sport at the University of North Carolina.
The state of Oklahoma doesn’t have much of a pipeline to the Tar Heel State and Carolina athletics, but legendary former wrestling coach Bill Lam, basketball standouts Steve Hale and Brady Manek, two-time national champion assistant basketball coach Joe Holladay and Jaworsky, one of the most successful college wrestlers ever, have made the connection rich in history.
Jaworsky began wrestling at age 5 in Enid, moved to Edmond in the sixth grade, won four state high school titles and eventually competed for two years (one as a red-shirt) at Oklahoma State, one of the sport’s historic programs. But Jaworsky needed a change after suffering an upset loss in the 1992 NCAA Tournament and looked east to find a program where he could fulfill his dream of becoming a multi-time national champion.
“I called NC State but Coach (Bob) Guzzo said he had the ACC champion at my weight coming back, Duke said I was too much of a wrestler for them, and everyone in Oklahoma knows about Coach Lam, so Carolina was a great situation for me,” says Jaworsky, who lives in California now, where he co-owns a stone quarry with his step-father.
“In Oklahoma, wrestling is like basketball is in North Carolina. It’s a big sport. Coach Lam’s reputation followed him to UNC, he had a good recruiting class and I had weekly and monthly goals to win championships. He thought those were lofty goals, and I said, ‘Exactly, that’s what I want to do.'”
Jaworsky not only met those goals, but he also likely exceeded them, winning three ACC championships, earning two ACC Tournament MVPs and a spot on the ACC’s 50th Anniversary team, leading Carolina to a pair of top-10 finishes in the NCAA Championships (sixth in 1994 and eighth in 1995) and winning 110 of 115 matches as a Tar Heel.
Three decades later, Jaworsky remains Carolina’s all-time leader in career winning percentage (.957) and wins by fall (50), single-season pins (24) and the single-season record for most wins in a perfect season (38-0-0 in 1994-95).
For those achievements and others, Jaworsky is being inducted in the North Carolina chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “T.J. had the three characteristics of what it takes to be a champion – heart, talent and work ethic, with heart being the most important,” says Lam. “T.J. had the most unbelievably competitive heart, … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2025/5/16/wrestling-t-j-jaworsky-looks-back-at-his-storied-career
A New Era for the US Men’s Freestyle Team?
In the 1998 hit “Closing Time” by Semisonic, the band sings that “every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” That song came to me as I was following the World Team Trials this weekend, particularly from the men’s freestyle avenue of the tournament.
In 2018, UWW expanded its weight class offerings from eight to ten and modified some of the actual weights. Those changes allowed the US men’s freestyle team to get a few more wrestlers that were blocked by returning team members into the mix. What resulted has been a great era of wrestling – one of the best in our storied history.
This golden era has had some consistent central figures. Kyle Snyder has been a part of every world/Olympic team since 2015. Kyle Dake has made all seven world/Olympic teams since 2018. Jordan Burroughs has made five world teams in that time period. David Taylor made six world/Olympic teams during that span. James Green made four. J’den Cox made four, as did Thomas Gilman.
Now, in the spring of 2025, we could be looking at a world team that has none of those central figures! Snyder’s status is up in the air after his recent arrest. Green did not make the finals of the WTT’s. Dake is up a weight class and will have to avenge a US Open loss against Zahid Valencia (with two wins) to make the 2025 squad. Cox, Gilman, and Taylor are all in the coaches chairs. Burroughs did not participate in any of the qualifying events, but has not announced his retirement.
The first year of a new Olympic cycle is traditionally filled with retirements and weight changes, so it’s not unusual to see this type of transition. However, the amount of change that we could see is out of the ordinary.
With Dake’s move up to 86 kg, we’ll have a representative at 74 kg not named Burroughs or Dake for the first time since 2010! … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/international/a-new-era-for-the-us-mens-freestyle-team-r100263/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
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
State Champion Geald Johnson named the James Johnson Memorial Award
West Craven’s Gerald “J.J.” Johnson was presented the James Johnson Award for the 2024-2025 season as the top senior scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina. The award is named in honor of three-time Greco-Roman national champion James Johnson. The presentation was made as a special highlight during his school’s Senior Awards Night on May 13th.
Gerald “J.J.” Johnson won 49 of his 50 matches this year and he pinned his opponent in the 2A 150 lbs. state final. Johnson was a three time Regional Champion and on the TDR Top 12 First Team in eastern N.C.
Last year Deondre Johnson of Clayton was given the James Johnson Award. In previous years the award winners were Caleb Beatty of Corinth-Holders, Avery Buonocore and Alex Hopper of Laney High School in 2023. Devon Bell and Mark Samuel of Laney in 2022, River Carroll of West Carteret (2021), Tyler Hughes and Christian Decatur of C.B. Aycock and Bryan Argao of North Brunswick (2020), Timothy Decatur of Rosewood (2019), Beau Studebaker of East Carteret, Jeremiah Derby of First Flight and Thomas Hudson of Dixon (2018), Carlos Martinez of First Flight (2017), Will Newbern of West Carteret (2017), Tanner Stamper-Smith of Havelock (2016), Joe Mondragon of Ashley H.S. (2015), De’Andre Jones of New Bern (2014), Alex Bray of Croatan (2013), Jon Wiley (2012) of South Brunswick, Marquin Hill (2011) of Washington H.S., Branden Lietz (2010) of J.H. Rose, Mamour Camara (2009) of Louisburg, Anthony Rogers (2008) of Knightdale, Ngu Tran (2007) of C.B. Aycock, Victor Hojillo (2006) of West Carteret, Raymond Jordan (2004) of New Bern, Shaun Sheffield (2003) of Havelock, David Pelsang (2005), and Paris Dottery (2002) of White Oak.
James Johnson started wrestling his junior year for D.H. Conley High School in Greenville with Milt Sherman as his coach. James was Coney’s 1st state champion in any sport in 1976. He was North Carolina’s 1st Eastern Junior National Champion in 1975 and North Carolina’s 1st Junior Nationals All-American with 3rd in 1976. He started four years at the University of Kentucky. He was inducted as an “Outstanding American” in the North Carolina State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2012 he was a coach for the U.S.A. Olympic Greco-Roman team in London. He was on the USA National Wrestling team for 12 years, winning 3 National Championships, USA Athlete of the Year, AIM Christian Athlete of the Year, and Olympic Team Alternate. He was an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 20 years. Johnson passed away in September, 2019 after coaching the USA Juniors Greco-Roman team at the World Championship in Estonia.
The TakeDown Report has promoted amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina for over 25 years and sponsors this award. Editor Martin Fleming noted, “Gerald had a great season and we are honored to present him with this award. This award is to encourage young men from teams in the eastern part of the state with an opportunity to realize the hard work, determination and discipline it takes to be a top notch wrestler,” he added. The TDR also ranks wrestlers in a TDR Top 12 List displayed on the TDR Blog page. Contact the TDR at takedownreport@gmail.com, & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
West Craven coach Jeremiah Hohlfelder and Gerald “J.J.” Johnson
Tobin McNair named ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winner, as top Underclassmen wrestler in Eastern North Carolina in 2025.
State champion Tobin McNair of Wakefield H.S. was presented the Heverly Award, as the top underclassman scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina this year. He completed his sophomore season undefeated with 40 wins. His career record so far is (94 – 2) with a 3rd place finish at the state tournament his freshman year. Both losses were to eventual state champions. He has also won two Regional Championships.
Previous ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners
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 25 years. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com, (252) 883-3311 & https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/
Tobin McNair with Wakefield coach Akim Warren-Brock
Sophia Marshall of Rosewood and Anna Ockerman of Corinth-Holders named Olivia Neal Award winners for outstanding wrestling
State Champions Anna Ockerman of Corinth-Holders High School and Sophia Marshall have been named the 5th and 6th Annual Olivia Neal Awards as the 2025 Most Outstanding Female scholastic wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. The award is for inspirational and successful senior female wrestlers in eastern North Carolina that encourage more girls to take advantage of opportunities in wrestling.
The first award was given to Isabel Rodriguez of Dixon in 2022. Other previous award winners include Angelica Steffey of Havelock in 2023, Lillian Prendergrast of South Brunswick and Kamilah Brooks of Pasquotank County in 2024. All award winners were included in The TDR Top 12 Girls’ teams with their name engraved on a wooden plaque.
Girls’ wrestling is rapidly growing with 45 states having sanctioned girls state wrestling championships. North Carolina sponsored the first sanctioned state championship tournament in the 2023-2024 last season. This increases the opportunities for student development.
In 2008 Olivia Neal became the first female wrestler in North Carolina to qualify for the varsity state tournament. She wrestled for Rosewood High School for four years. Her participation generated publicity for the sport, and she pinned her first state tournament opponent. This inspired a growing number of girls in eastern N.C. to try wrestling.
The TakeDown Report sponsors the Award and promotes wrestling in eastern North Carolina by reporting results and encouraging media coverage. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com and check https://takedownreport.wordpress.com/.
(L-R) Ath. Dir. JasonKing, Coach Jshua ordon, Sophia Marshall, Asst. Coach Rick Nobers and Josh Marshall.
Ryan Mann awarded the 34th Michael Stokes Award
State champion Ryan Mann of North East Carolina Prep School was presented with the 2025 Michael Stokes Award. Michael Stokes and TDR Editor Martin Fleming made the presentation to Ryan with his teammates and the school’s award assembly in the Fleming building at Edgecombe Community College during school Award Night.
Ryan was a two-time state champion and placed all 4 years at the state tournament. His career record was 203 wins with just 6 losses and he won the most matches in Edgecombe County school history. He was also a 3-time regional champ. Ryan also earned his 3rd TDR Top 12 Team engraved wooden plaque this year. Mann is looking to wrestle at Presbyterian University in South Carolina in the fall. He plans to enter the Physical Therapist course of study.
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 Jason Kennedy of Rosewood in 2024, Walker Bell of West Craven (2023), Raheem Jones of North Pitt (2022), Aaron Bancroft (2020) and Jayleen Bullock (2021) of Wilson Fike. Ray Darden of Ayden-Grifton and Jordan Todd of Rosewood tied for the award in (2019), Sincere 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.
Coming off First NCAA Bid, Barket Hungry for More
DURHAM, N.C.– There were plenty of moments worth remembering during Connor Barket’s 2024-25 season. The redshirt sophomore earned a top-five placement at the ACC Championship, four victories against ranked opponents and his first career appearance at the NCAA Championship last month in Philadelphia.
When recently asked to reflect on his breakout season, however, the heavyweight had only one moment in mind: wrestling on the NCAA Championship mats next season in Cleveland. “It’s hard to get my mind off of it,” said Barket. “I’ve just become obsessed with thinking about Cleveland next year and what I need to do.”
That type of obsession is what propelled Barket to one of the most successful years of wrestling in recent Duke history. After collecting 24 wins, the product of West Lafayette, Ind., now sits at fifth-place all-time in single-season wins by a Duke heavyweight. “Seeing the first weekend down at the Citadel and then all the way up to Nationals — it’s been an extremely long journey. Looking back, I can confidently say I’ve grown tremendously over the last season and even more so than I think I did last season.”
After an impressive freshman campaign in which he topped the team in wins with a 16-15 record, Barket began the year on a hot streak. He placed second at the opening Battle at the Citadel tournament, before wrestling his way to an undefeated record at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic in Pennsylvania. … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2025/5/15/wrestling-coming-off-first-ncaa-bid-barket-hungry-for-more
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 