Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

For Morgan State wrestling coach, legacy of winning Olympic gold ‘goes far and wide’

In 1988, Kenny Monday became the Games’ first Black wrestling champion
When Morgan State University wrestling head coach Kenny Monday was just a 10-year-old boy watching the 1972 Olympics from his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he decided he would become the world’s best wrestler and win his own gold medal. Sixteen years later, he would make history at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, as the first Black wrestler to do just that. “I think we [Team USA] had maybe three gold medalists that year [1972], Dan Gable, Wayne Wells and Ben Peterson. … I kind of dialed in and watched those guys,” Monday said. “Man, that was the first time that I realized that the Olympic gold was the pinnacle of the sport of wrestling because there’s no professional league. So once I realized that [I thought], ‘Man, that’s what I want to be.’”
Monday was introduced to wrestling at age 6 by his two older brothers. His early involvement in an after-school YMCA wrestling program blossomed into a career that would include two Olympic appearances, gold and silver medals, and a chance to lead the first Division I wrestling program at a historically Black college or university and give back to the next generation of Black wrestlers.
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National Wrestling Hall of Famer Charles “Charlie” Shivers was the sports director at the Y in Monday’s neighborhood and led the wrestling program the Monday brothers participated in. As the smallest member of the team, Monday initially struggled but learned foundational wrestling techniques with Shivers’ help. “I was the smallest and youngest kid when I started wrestling on the team, so I couldn’t beat anyone on the team. I was getting whooped every day. But it was really a great beginning because my coach is like, ‘Man, just don’t quit. Just keep coming back. Don’t quit.’ … And I got better as I went,” Monday said.
He eventually advanced out of the YMCA and moved on to different wrestling programs. He went undefeated in high school with a record of 140-0-1 and attracted interest from many major colleges. However, as a Tulsa native, his decision came down to the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, and he chose State.
Monday posted a record of 121-12-2 at Oklahoma State and won the NCAA title in 1984. After graduating, he competed in the 1984 Olympic trials, hoping to secure the singular spot for his weight class, but came in fifth place. “1985, ’86, ’87 were building years. Those were the years that I really, really honed my craft and really got to the level to where I felt like I could compete,” Monday said.
After Monday made the 1988 Olympic team for the Seoul Games, three-time world champion Leroy Kemp, a Black wrestler who was set to compete in the 1980 Moscow Olympics before the U.S. boycott, served as a mentor and friend. “I was poised to be the first Black Olympic champion in 1980,” Kemp said. “Then when that didn’t happen in ’84, the only other person that I wanted to have the distinction and honor was Kenny Monday. … It was like he was me. I got to live vicariously through him.” … more at … https://andscape.com/features/for-morgan-state-wrestling-coach-legacy-of-winning-olympic-gold-goes-far-and-wide/

February 25, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Cuyler Captures Fourth Championship of Freshman Year at Midlands

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Freshman phenom May Cuyler of the seventh-ranked Presbyterian College women’s wrestling team continued an immaculate start to her Blue Hose career on Monday night, winning a first-place crown at the famed Midlands Championships just outside of Chicago.
Eight PC grapplers represented head coach Brian Vutianitis at the NOW Arena for the 60th edition of the Midlands bracket, where Cuyler (160) boosted her outstanding personal record to 16-1. Fellow newbie Carina Giangeruso earned a bronze trinket on Monday by winning back-to-back consolation-round matches, allowing Presbyterian to tally 18 individual W’s in all.
Cuyler’s first three victories came by either technical fall or pin, snatching the gold prize in a highly-competitive decision over North Central’s Tiera Jimerson (10-7). In fact, there were 13 matches between PC and a North Central opponent in the Windy City. Both programs have become a mainstay in the NWCA national top ten. … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2024/12/30/womens-wrestling-cuyler-captures-fourth-championship-of-freshman-year-at-midlands.aspx

January 1, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Ryan Mann and Holton Quincy presented Heverly & Carroll Awards

            The 2024 Roy Heverly and Lee Carroll Awards were presented to North East Carolina Prep School State Champions Ryan Mann and Holton Quincy during a pause between matches during their first home meet today.  The TakeDown Report Editor, Martin Fleming presented these awards to Ryan and Holton.  These awards recognize top underclassmen wrestlers in eastern North Carolina.
            Holton Quincy was presented the 26th Annual Lee Carroll Award for excellence in athletics, academics and sportsmanship in northeastern North Carolina last season.  Holton was the first freshman state champion in Edgecombe County history with 52 wins and 1 loss last season. 
            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 Ryan Mann in 2023, 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.
            Ryan Mann was presented the 26th Annual Roy Heverly Award for his excellence in athletics, academics and sportsmanship in eastern North Carolina.  He earned his first state medal as a freshman at 120 pounds and the first state medalist in wrestling for N.E. Carolina Prep School.  As a sophomore, Mann a state finalist with a (58-1) record.  After an undefeated season last year his scholastic career record, so far, is 145 wins and 5 losses. 
            Previous ‘Roy Heverly Award’ winners include Ian Fritz in 2023, Joe Sculthorpe(2014) and Matteson Correll(2013) of Topsail, Alex Hopper(2022),  Mark Samuel(2021 & 2020) and Frank Hickman(2007) of Wilmington Laney, Caleb Beaty(2021) of Wake Forest, River Carroll(2020) of Swansboro, Christian Decatur(2019) and Nick Quillen(2012) of Rosewood, Alec Sampson(2018) of Hoggard, Beau Studebaker(2017) of East Carteret, Harrison Campbell(2016) of West Brunswick,     Blaine Mainz(2015) of and Tyler Ross(2012) of Jacksonville, Jake Smith(2011) and Charlie Millea(2008) of Havelock, Marquin Hill(2010) of Washington, Ryan Blackwell(2009) and Sean O’Laker(2006) of Croatan, Eddie Sawyer(2005) and Brian Lashomb(2004) of Currituck County and Raymond Jordan of New Bern in 2003,
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 promotes amateur wrestling in eastern North Carolina, sponsors these Awards.  “These awards recognize  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 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/

December 10, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment