National Wrestling Hall of Fame 41st Annual Honors Weekend
TDR Editor’s Notes ; North Carolina had our Hall of Fame Induction banquet on May 21st. It was a great event and we will be posting photos in the coming days. Yet the national honors weekend is coming up in Stillwater, Oklahoma in case you may be out that way.
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The National Wrestling Hall of Fame will induct the Class of 2017 at the 41st Annual Honors Weekend on June 2-3 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Honors Banquet will be in the OSU Student Union Ballroom at 7 p.m. on June 3. There will be a reception in the French Lounge beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets for the banquet are $85 and can be purchased at nwhof.ticketleap.com. The Testimonial Brunch will be in the Starlight Terrace at 10 a.m. on June 3. Tickets for the brunch are $30 and can be purchased at nwhof.ticketleap.com. Rest of the story at …. http://nwhof.org/blog/tickets-available-for-2017-honors-weekend/?mc_cid=e692256af7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
National Wrestling Media Association (NWMA) announces annual wrestling journalism awards
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Great to see media members get recognized for recognizing and publicizing amateur wrestling achievements. Don’t worry the TDR can safely say that we won’t be mentioned in consideration for these but we recognize and admire the great writers that are considered.
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New Brighton, Minnesota – The National Wrestling Media Association presented its annual wrestling journalism awards during the 2017 NCAA Division I Championships in St. Louis on March 18. The NWMA, founded in 1989, is an organization that represents the best interests of journalists within the sport of wrestling. This includes reporters, editors, publishers, webmasters, photographers, broadcasters, sports information directors and other media professionals who share an interest and involvement in the sport. “With the growth of new media and the sport’s presence on the internet, the opportunity for diverse and dynamic coverage has improved over the years,” said NWMA President Jason Bryant. “It’s allowed the organization to recognize groups and individuals who have added significant value to the wrestling landscape in a variety of formats.” Rest of the story …. http://www.nationalwrestlingmedia.com/2017/03/national-wrestling-media-association-announces-annual-wrestling-journalism-awards/
Olympic champions Maroulis, Snyder and Burroughs fuel U.S. over international foes at Beat the Streets Benefit in Times Square
TDR Editor’s Notes ; A great promotional event in front of a large crowd that needs to be exposed to quality wrestling. The “Beat the Streets” program is a great cause as well. It first started in NYC but has now expanded to several other cities.
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NEW YORK – The stars of USA Wrestling were unleashed upon Times Square on Wednesday evening with Olympic champions Helen Maroulis, Kyle Snyder and Jordan Burroughs leading a U.S. route at the 2017 Beat the Streets Benefit dubbed “East Meets West.”
The Beat the Streets Benefit was held for the eighth-straight year, and sixth time in Times Square, to raise funds on behalf of Beat the Streets in New York City, which supports youth wrestling opportunities for local girls and boys. For this year’s edition, athletes from Japan, Canada and Italy were brought in to compete against the American team in the feature dual meet. Rest of the story at ….http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2017/May/17/Beat-the-Streets-Results?mc_cid=0bebf7006f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
The Michael Stokes Award Handoff
Quadrrius Hopkins is in the striped shirt on the left while Michael Stokes hands him the award he earned. The old guy in the hat is a wrestling fan. (just check his tie)
Saving Boise State wrestling is important to the Utah wrestling community
TDR Editor’s Notes ; An interesting and insightful article which emphasizes how foolish the BSU President’s decision was.
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The amateur wrestling world was stunned by Boise State’s recent decision to drop its wrestling program. The decision definitely caught everyone by surprise including Boise State wrestlers and coaches. As late as last year, Boise State had hired a new head coach who had relocated his family to Boise, only to have the rug pulled out from under him. But even more disturbing is what the sudden decision has done to the current team members and recruits who again absolutely had no inkling something was in the works. Yes, their scholarships will be “honored” but not their dreams of competing for conference and national championships. So many will be left to either scramble to find a place to wrestle next year or their college wrestling career is now over. Rest of the story at …. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865679442/Saving-Boise-State-wrestling-is-important-to-the-Utah-wrestling-community.html?mc_cid=3cf082b652&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Michael Stokes Award presented to Quadarrius Hopkins
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Have been delayed in posting pictures from the TDR camera yet we hope that these are enjoyed by those that were there and those that wished they could have been there.
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From the Tarboro Athletic Banquet on Thurs. May 18th. 
Boise State’s Colossal Financial Blunder
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Looks like a very bad move for Boise State which had a good wrestling program which cost much less than a baseball team. We suspect that there is more to why they did this than the ones given by the A.D.
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Boise State President Bob Kustra’s decision to drop the Broncos wrestling program and pursue a baseball team has saddled the public institution with a ticking financial time bomb. Annual losses could run as high as $2 million per year, which is about how much is drained from the University of Oregon coffers every year to keep its baseball team running. After the Ducks dropped their wrestling program in part to facilitate reinstating a baseball team in 2009, Oregon has lost approximately $17.5 million while operating its baseball program over the ensuing nine years, as doggedly reported by the Daily Emerald. Rest of the story at ….http://www.flowrestling.org/article/56631-boise-state-s-colossal-financial-blunder?mc_cid=9dea8e8ad4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#.WSs_rIWcFFo
Campbell wrestling names Lincoln Kyle Director of Operations
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Looks like another step in building a strong program in North Carolina.
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BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell wrestling has announced the hiring of Lincoln Kyle as Director of Operations. “We are very excited to add a Director of Operations to our staff and Lincoln is an excellent hire,” Campbell wrestling head coach Cary Kolat said. “His involvement in all areas of our daily operations will only help to elevate our program to another level.” “I’m excited for the opportunity to join this great program and work under Coach Kolat,” Kyle said. “I look forward to taking on many of the administrative duties, allowing the coaches to focus more on coaching and building the athletes up.”
Rest of the story at ….http://gocamels.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/releases/20170524nqcgbm?mc_cid=0ec678f4e8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Will Newbern awarded the James Johnson Trophy as top wrestler in eastern North Carolina
Will Newbern awarded the James Johnson Trophy as top wrestler in eastern North Carolina
State Champion Will Newbern of West Carteret High School was presented one of the 16th Annual James Johnson Award as the best scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina in 2017. The award is named in honor of three time national champion James Johnson. Will will continue his wrestling at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Will capped off a remarkable senior year campaign by going undefeated with a 51-0 record. He also competed and won both the N.C. Freeestyle and Greco Roman style championships, making Will, a rare
“Triple Crown” winner, the only one in North Carolina this year. He is the only wrestler in history to win the West Carteret hosted Beach Brawl tournament, the New Bern hosted Swiss Bear, the Croatan hosted Beast of the East, and the Chapel Hill hosted and nationally ranked Tiger Holiday Tournaments. Will accomplished this herculean feat not once but twice in his career, truly setting him apart. Will ended his career with 149 wins, 2x conference and regional champ and as a 2x place winner at the state tournament, finishing 5th his junior year to go along with his first place efforts his senior year.
Previous award winners were Tanner Stamper-Smith (2016) of Havelock, Joe Mondragon (2015) of Ashley H.S., De’Andre Jones (2014) of New Bern, Alex Bray (2013) of Croatan, 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.
The TakeDown Report promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina and sponsors the Award. “The award is to recognize the most successful wrestler in the area each year.” Fleming noted, “It encourages the young men from the 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 TakeDown Report is in its’ 19th year of operations in North Carolina encouraging media coverage of the sport. Contact the TDR at martinkfleming@gmail.com.
James Johnson started wrestling in 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 went on to start four years at the University of Kentucky. He is now a sports consultant and coach for the Phoenix-based Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club. He also specializes in developing unique training for people of all fitness levels with a broad background in public speaking, sports training techniques, and health and fitness. 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.
Before developing James Johnson, Inc., James served as a Public Relations/ Community Speaker for Sunkist worldwide. 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, Olympic Team Alternate, and numerous accolades worldwide. He has been an Ambassador for the United States Olympic Committee, USA wrestling and The Sunkist Kids Wrestling organization for over 16 years. More at http://jjchamp3x.com/.
Campbell announces 2017 recruiting class
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Congratulations to Coach Cary Kolat in bringing in many state champions including some from eastern North Carolina. Both North Brunswick state champions will be joining the Camels.
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BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell wrestling head coach Cary Kolat has announced his 2017 recruiting class. This group is highlighted by nationally ranked prospects and All-Americans, combining for 21 state titles and 50 state medals. The recruiting class consists of 23 wrestlers hailing from 15 different states: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. “We are very excited about this group of recruits coming in,” Kolat said. “Several of these guys will come in looking to make an impact on our lineup right away. This large class also provides an excellent quality of depth in our room. I believe our staff recruited the right type of kids, who fit the culture and vision we have, and they will continue to propel our program in the right direction.” Campbell is coming off a season that saw a record five Camel wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships and the first All-American in program history, Nathan Kraisser. Campbell also claimed 10 dual victories and won the first Southern Conference Championship in program history. Rest of the story at …. http://gocamels.com/sports/wrest/2016-17/releases/20170522luiqmw?mc_cid=9442711428&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
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
