The TakeDown Report

TDR Top 12 Team at 170 Lbs. Award Plaques

The top 6 wrestlers ranked at this weight class earned TDR Top 12 plaques as being one of the best 42 wrestlers. With 14 weight classes that averages to 3 per weight yet the best 42 overall are selected.
State Champion Lance Armenta of SW Onslow in the 2A State Championships is the top ranked wrestler in eastern N.C. The others on the Top 12 earned plaques for being in the best of the best are 3rd placers Kaleb Smith of Rosewood (1A) and Connor Hughes of First Flight (2A), medalists Dakota Wakefield of Swansboro and Brandon Skinner of Knightdale. Dalton Hill of New Bern is included for his strong season and as the only wrestler to defeat Armenta this season.

May 25, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Team at 170 Lbs.

The ranking of all the wrestlers at 170 lbs. in the TDR Top 12. State Champion Lance Armenta of SW Onslow in the 2A State Championships is the top ranked wrestler in eastern N.C. The others on the Top 12 earned plaques for being in the best of the best are 3rd placers Kaleb Smith of Rosewood (1A) and Connor Hughes of First Flight (2A), medalists Dakota Wakefield of Swansboro and Brandon Skinner of Knightdale. Dalton Hill of New Bern is included for his strong season and he was the only wrestler to defeat Armenta this season.

1	Armenta, Lance	Southwest Onslow	170	2A	12	47	2	0.959	1	1st
2	Smith, Kaleb	Rosewood	170	1A	12	47	6	0.887	1	3rd
3	Hughes, Connor	First Flight	170	2A	11	47	8	0.855	2	3rd
4	Hill, Dalton	New Bern	170	4A	11	30	5	0.857	1	w1
5	Wakefield, Dakota	Swansboro	170	3A	12	38	5	0.884	1	5th
6	Skinner, Brandon	Knightdale	170	4A	12	43	4	0.915	2	6th
7	Bridges, Ethan	Croatan	170	2A	11	39	16	0.709	3	4th
8	Townsend, Monquez	Lumberton	170	4A	12	42	10	0.808	2	w1
9	Williams, Miles	Greene Central	170	2A	11	25	10	0.714	4	w1
10	Bunts, Tyler	South Granville	170	2A	11	39	9	0.813	1	L2
11	Hough, Connor	Pamlico	170	1A	12	26	5	0.839	2	L2
12	Turner, Luke	Corinth Holders	170	3A	12	34	9	0.791	4	L2
13	Keyes, Marquez	JH Rose	170	4A	11	38	15	0.717	4	L2
13	Sheppard, Sedrak	Rocky Mount	170	3A	11	37	17	0.685	3	L2

May 24, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Joe Mondragon awarded James Johnson Trophy as top wrestler in eastern North Carolina

State Champion Joe Mondragon of Ashley High School was presented the 14^th Annual James Johnson Award as the best scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina in 2015 at the Senior Sports Banquet. The award is named in honor of three time national champion James Johnson. TakeDown Report Representative Neal Dorow presented the award to Joe.

Joe was the state champion at 132 lbs. in his senior year with 45 victories and just two losses. He won 37 matches in a row after an early season loss in the finals of the Dixon Bulldog tourney until the Regional finals. While winning the Mid-eastern conference tournament Joe suffered a severe ankle sprain which hindered his movement in the Regional tournament the next weekend. He lost his second match of the season in the finals 6-1 but bounced back the next weekend in Greensboro with 4 wins including a 4-3 decision in the finals to become Ashley’s first State Champion in wrestling.

Joe’s father Joe Sr. was a two-time state champion in Nevada thus he had Joe Jr. and younger son Terrell were on the mat at an early age. Joe fell in love with the sport when in grade school. His passion guided him to four consecutive state age-group titles from 5^th to 8^th grades. In 2011 he became an All-American in Greco-Roman style as he placed 7^th in the USA Wrestling Cadet National Championships in Fargo, North Dakota. As a freshmen Joe made it to the Utah state championships and finished with a (55-9). The next year he compiled a (29-2) record before his season was ended by an injury. It was the only season in which Joe did not qualify for the state tournament.

The Mondragon family moved to North Carolina in 2013 before Joe’s Junior year. As the father explained “we wanted to move near the ocean. The sand here comes with water and we wanted that change.” he beamed. In his first season in North Carolina Joe was undefeated until the conference tournament. This was in spite of missing a month of action due to a severe infection from an insect bite. He resumed practice a few days before the conference tournament. His first loss of the season was in the finals to a previously beaten opponent. His second loss was in the Regional finals. He earned a 5^th place medal at the state tournament and finished with a (23-4) record.
Joe’s future plans are undecided yet he is looking to focus on an apprenticeship in a family business back in Utah. After this season stopped wrestling but “…the wrestling itch is coming back and he is considering eventually wrestling again at a junior college or even a four year college out west.” His father shared.

Previous award winners were 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’ 18^th 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/.

Joe Mondragon with the J.J. Award A.D. Roy Turner, Joe Mondragon, Neal Dorow

May 24, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Team at 160 Lbs. & Plaques

The ranking of all the wrestlers at 160 lbs. in the TDR Top 12. State Champion Angel Najar of North Pitt in the 2A State Championships and is the top ranked wrestler in eastern N.C.

1	Najar, Angel	North Pitt	160	2A	12	59	1	0.983	1	1st
2	Scott, Anthony	Croatan	160	2A	12	46	16	0.742	2	4th
3	Smith, Cameron	Corinth Holders	160	3A	10	24	5	0.828	1	w2
4	Higgs, Austin	South Granville	160	2A	11	31	8	0.795	1	L2
5	Vaccaro, Dakota	West Carteret	160	3A	11	33	13	0.717	2	w1
6	Younger, Devin	Franklinton	160	2A	11	36	14	0.720	2	L2
7	Henderson, Alexander	Rocky Mount	160	3A	11	37	12	0.755	4	w1
8	Nelson, Michael	West Brunswick	160	3A	11	29	10	0.744	3	L2
9	Carlock, Johnathan	Southern Vance	160	2A	12	23	10	0.697	4	w1
10	Decker, Jared	First Flight	160	2A	12	24	12	0.667	3	L2
11	smith, jamarris	Tarboro	160	1A	12	21	9	0.700	4	L2

May 23, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Team at 152 Lbs. Plaques

The ranking of all the wrestlers at 152 lbs. in the TDR Top 12. P.J. Connors of Currituck County placed 5th in the 2A State Championships and is the top ranked wrestler in eastern N.C.

1	Connors, PJ	Currituck	152	2A	11	49	4	0.925	1	5th
2	Gabriele, Austin	Ashley	152	4A	12	42	6	0.875	2	6th
3	McCann, John	Northside (Jacksonville)	152	2A	12	33	7	0.825	4	6th
4	Garay, Kevin	Havelock	152	3A	12	43	10	0.811	1	w2
5	Walker, Anthony	North Brunswick	152	2A	12	40	8	0.833	3	w1
6	Studebaker, Beau	East Carteret	152	1A	9	41	9	0.820	3	w1
7	Edwards, Travonye	Farmville Central	152	2A	12	34	7	0.829	2	L2
8	Wallace, Josh	CB Aycock	152	3A	10	42	8	0.840	4	L2
9	Morris, Dylan	Jacksonville	152	3A	12	41	13	0.759	2	L2
10	Hall, William	Bunn	152	2A	12	19	6	0.760	3	L2
11	Reiss, Evan	Rosewood	152	1A	12	40	13	0.755	4	L2

May 22, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Carolina Beach Resident, Ashley High Wrestler, Joe Mondragon Receives James Johnson Award

By Neal Dorow, TDR Representative
Ashley High School wrestler and Carolina Beach Resident, Joe Montragon has been named by The TakeDown Report as the recipient of the 2015 James Johnson Award, recognizing him as the Most Outstanding Scholastic Wrestler in all of Eastern North Carolina.
The TakeDown Report is an on line publication that promotes amateur wrestling in Eastern North Carolina by reporting wrestling results and encouraging media coverage of the sport.

The James Johnson Award is named in honor of North Carolina native James Johnson who was a 3-time Greco-Roman Wrestling National Champion and Olympic Team Alternate during his 12 years on the USA National team.   Johnson was a coach for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and in 1976 was the first state champion for D.H. Conley High School in any sport.
Joe grew up in Utah, but in 2013 his family moved to the east coast where they landed in Carolina Beach and at Ashley High School. Joe fell in love with the sport of wrestling in grade school, and his passion guided him to four consecutive state age-group titles from fifth to eighth grade. In 2011 he earned All-American honors in Greco Roman style as he placed 7th in the USA Wrestling Cadet National Championships. As a freshman in high school, Joe placed 2^nd in the Utah state championships. He finished that season with a record of 52 wins and 8 losses.   He was unable to participate in the postseason his sophomore year but that season he had a record of 23 wins and no losses before his season ended.
As a junior at Ashley HS, Joe was undefeated going into the conference tournament but had missed the previous month of wrestling due to an insect bite that became infected and required his hospitalization and treatment with strong antibiotics. He resumed training just a day before the conference tournament where he sustained his first loss in the finals, losing to a wrestler that he had beaten previously 7-0. Nevertheless, Joe went on to place 2nd in the East Region and earned 5th place in the NCHSAA State Championships.  Despite missing a full month of wrestling he still completed his first season at Ashley HS with a record of 25 wins and 4 losses.
This year, Joe was Mid-Eastern Conference champion but in the regional finals he suffered a severe ankle sprain that contributed to a 6-1 loss in the finals match. Despite suffering from the effects of the ankle injury, Joe won four straight matches at the NCHSAA 4A State Wrestling Championships, taking the gold medal with a 4-3 decision in his final match. Joe finished the season with 48 wins and only 2 losses. His 2-year record at Ashley HS high school is 73 wins and 6 losses and he completed his high school career with an overall record of 148 wins and 14 losses. Joe also established new records for Ashley High School for the most wins in a single season, 47, and the most pins in a single season, 34. This past spring Joe was selected to the “All Area Wrestling Team” and was named the “All-Area Wrestler of the Year” by the Wilmington Star News and the top ranked 132 lb. wrestler in Eastern North Carolina by The TakeDown Report.
JoeNparents

May 20, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Team at 145 Lbs. Award Plaques

The top 2 wrestlers ranked at this weight class earned TDR Top 12 plaques as being one of the best 42 wrestlers. With 14 weight classes that averages to 3 per weight yet the best 42 overall are selected.
Senior Kevin Cagle of Dixon took the top spot at 145 with his victory in the finals over 2nd ranked Patrick Burton of North Brunswick. It was their 4th match this season and Cagle won 3 of them including the State Championship.

May 20, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Team at 145 Lbs.

The ranking of all the wrestlers at 145 lbs. in the TDR Top 12.

1	Cagle, Kevin	Dixon	145	2A	12	32	6	0.842	1	1st
2	Burton, Patrick	North Brunswick	145	2A	10	48	7	0.873	3	2nd
3	Talley, Bryce	South Granville	145	2A	10	41	6	0.872	1	4th
4	Hopkins, Quadarrius	Tarboro	145	1A	10	33	7	0.825	1	4th
5	Brown, Caleb	Triton	145	3A	12	35	8	0.814	1	6th
6	Morris, Nicholas	New Bern	145	4A	11	43	7	0.860	2	6th
7	Whitaker, Clinton	Southern Nash	145	3A	12	38	8	0.826	2	w2
8	Loken, Trevor	Clayton	145	4A	11	46	10	0.821	2	w2
9	Santiago, Reuben	Franklinton	145	2A	11	38	13	0.745	2	w2
10	Powell, Raquan	Farmville Central	145	2A	12	44	8	0.846	2	L2
11	Valadez, Jorge	Pamlico	145	1A	11	33	12	0.733	2	w1
12	Cypher, Sander	Wake Forest	145	4A	10	38	14	0.731	4	w1
13	Harrison, Austin	Laney	145	4A	10	43	11	0.796	3	L2

May 20, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

National Wrestling Hall of Fame

The North Carolina Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma had this year’s induction on Sunday May 17th at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. Seven new members were included to bring the total to 70 for the North Carolina chapter. This was the 13th Annual event. The first was in 1997 and the second was not until 2004 and they have been held every year since then. This year the following were recognized.

Dennis Barbour, long time coach at Grimsley H.S. and official. First became involved in wrestling in a class at ECU taught by Hall of Famer John Welborn (class of 2004). First Mat News Coach of the Year.
David Culbreth who was a state champion wrestler and then state champion coach at 71st in Fayetteville. He has been an official at the state tournament for past 15 years.
Bobby House – long time East Davidson coach, wrestled at Catawba for Meyer.
Jay Lineberry – long time coach at Central Davidson, wrestled at Elon and UNC.
Frank “Dutch” Meyer (1924-2008) – started wrestling programs, coached at Appalachian State and Catawba College (1969-1983)
Cecil Mock – long time state tournament official, coached at Eastern Randolph and Asheboro.
Ricky “Rick” Stack – coached at Charlotte Catholic, Charlotte Country Day, winner of many awards including having the new wrestling room at his school named after him.

Bob Mauldin (HOF class of 2004) — was also recognized in Memoriam. He made a big impact on all and was often mentioned. He passed away in March.

Frank Rader (HOF class of 2004) — attended and appeared in good health yet as has been noted in other news services he passed away at home before the next morning.

May 19, 2015 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Team at 138 Lbs. Award Plaques

The top 3 wrestlers ranked at this weight class earned TDR Top 12 plaques as being one of the best 42 wrestlers. With 14 weight classes that averages to 3 per weight yet the best 42 overall are selected.

State Runner-ups Champion Ernest Sutton of Northeastern (2A) and Jacob Butler of Swansboro (3A) and third place finisher Samuel Drew of Rosewood (1A) have been named to the TDR Top 12 team and have been awarded plaques.