Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Johnny Brown
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
Johnny Brown · Charlie Jenkins · Harold Smith
Bryan Tutterrow · Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton
David Siler · Jeff Queen
(above David Rothwell & Johnny Brown)
Johnny Brown – Johnny Brown, a native of Salisbury, is a 1970 graduate of East Rowan High School. Brown was a standout high school athlete who wrestled, played football, and baseball. During his high school career, he wrestled for three years, earning team MVP honors. He capped off his senior wrestling season with a fourth-place finish in the WNCHSAA state tournament at 145 pounds. He also was the co-captain of East Rowan’s undefeated WNCHSAA state championship football team and a member of two teams that captured WNCHSAA state baseball championships.
Following high school, Brown attended Western Carolina University, where he graduated in 1974 with a degree in health and physical education. While in college, he began what would become a 30-year wrestling officiating career, starting in 1973 by calling middle school matches. From 1973 to 2003, Brown was one of North Carolina’s most respected wrestling officials, working 15 sectional tournaments, five NCHSAA state tournaments, and three NCHSAA dual team finals. Brown also officiated football for 50 years, calling his final game in 2025. His football officiating career included the 1992 state championship game and the 2004 East-West All-Star game. In addition, Brown also spent a decade officiating baseball.
In addition to his officiating accomplishments, Brown made a lasting impact as a football, wrestling, and track coach. From 1974 to 1986, he founded the wrestling program and served as head wrestling coach at Corriher-Lipe Junior High School, where his 1986 team completed an undefeated season and captured the conference tournament championship. He also started the wrestling program at North Rowan Middle School in 1988 and coached wrestling at East Rowan High School for two seasons.
Brown taught for over twenty years before moving into administration. He served in various administrative roles within Rowan County Schools for seven years before concluding his career as Director of Transportation, retiring in 2010 after two years in that position.
Known for his integrity, leadership, professionalism, and humility, Brown earned widespread respect on and off the mat. As an official, he was recognized for his command of matches, staying active, and commitment to excellence whether he was officiating a state championship final or a middle school dual meet.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
State Champion Lucas Angstadt presented the 2026 James Johnson Memorial Award
Coach Wes Knight. Lucas Angstadt, TDR Rep. Neal Dorow (left to right)
Lucas Angstadt was presented the 2026 James Johnson Memorial Award at his team’s end-of-the-season celebration.. Lucas started wrestling in the 9th grade at Ashley High. He admits that “…”I was terrible.”. He couldn’t break the varsity lineup as a freshman. Lucas worked the entire off-season preparing. He returned as a sophomore starter and qualified for the State Tournament. Illness prevented him from wrestling his best and he did not place at the State Tournament. Lucas was a Regional champ as a Junior and wrestled well at States, but did not place. He then focused on being a senior state champion. He only lost once in the regular season, to a previous State Camp, and that removed nerves and worries for the rest of the season. He lost to Luke Richards of Cardinal Gibbons in the first round of the dual team playoffs. Yet, he did not get discouraged as he faced Richards in the Regional final the next weekend. Lucas won a major decision 10-0. Coach Wes Knight shared that “Lucas was laser-focused at the State Tournament. He had a great showing. Lucas always put in the work. He always wanted more wrestling. preseason, regular season, or postseason, he tried to get more mat time. Based on a strong performance at the NHSCA Senior Nationals in Virginia Beach he is seeking to wrestle in college next year.
Last year Gerald ‘J.J.’ Johnson of West Craven was presented the James Johnson Award. In previous years, the award winners were Deondre Johnson of Clayton (2024), 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.
Blades, Hikiji, Jimenez, Rodriguez and Welker named finalists for 2026 USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy
Five finalists have been selected for the 2026 USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy, which is presented annually to the nation’s best women’s college wrestler—Kennedy Blades of Iowa, Erin Hikiji of Providence, Audrey Jimenez of Lehigh, Cristelle Rodriguez of Doane and Kylie Welker of Iowa.
Blades, Jimenez and Welker were champions at the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling National Championships. Hikiji and Rodriguez earned national titles at the NAIA Women’s Wrestling Championships.
The award winner will be selected by a vote from three constituent groups—women’s college head coaches, national wrestling media and the fans. Each group accounts for one-third of the total vote.
Public voting is now open at usawrestlingevents.com/wcwoty and will run through Tuesday, March 31. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 2.
Finalists were determined by the Anthony-Maroulis Trophy oversight committee, which includes representatives of USA Wrestling, college coaches, media, officials and past winners.
| The following criteria were considered when evaluating finalist candidates, using data from the 2025-26 season only:• Season record• Bonus percentage• Number of falls• Number of technical falls• Quality of competition• Integrity and sportsmanship• Impact on program and team success• Cultural impact on women’s college wrestling |
| The USA Wrestling Anthony-Maroulis Trophy is named after Victoria Anthony and Helen Maroulis, who are the first four-time women’s college national champions. Both women won a fourth WCWA national title in 2014 as teammates at Simon Fraser University, becoming the first wrestlers in history to achieve the feat.Previous winners of the award were Yelena Makoyed of North Central (2023), Adaugo Nwachukwu of William Penn (2024) and Kennedy Blades of Iowa (2025).USA Wrestling created the Anthony-Maroulis Trophy to elevate a new award for women’s college wrestling that has significant cultural impact seen with other college athletic awards, such as the Dan Hodge Trophy in men’s college wrestling and the Hesman Trophy in college football. |
Olympian, World Medalist, Hall Of Fame Wrestler And Coach Bobby Douglas Passed Away At Age 83
Bobby Douglas, 83, a two-time Olympian, two-time World medalist, six-time U.S. World Team member, and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member for his lifetime accomplishments as a wrestler and coach, passed away from natural causes on Monday in Iowa.
Douglas was a trailblazer who left his mark on USA Wrestling history in numerous ways. He was a dedicated husband to his wife, Jackie. The couple had one son, Bobby Jr. No plans for a memorial service for Douglas will be made available. The family is appreciative of the love and support for Bobby and asks for privacy during this time.
Douglas represented the U.S. at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico. He was the first black American to wrestle in the Olympic Games, and was captain of the 1968 Olympic Team, which was also a first. He competed at six Senior World Championships from 1963 to 1970, with appearances in both Greco-Roman and men’s freestyle. He collected two men’s freestyle World medals—silver in 1966 in Toledo, Ohio, and bronze in 1970 in Edmonton, Canada.
Prior to his Senior level run of success, Douglas was a 1962 NAIA champion and 1963 NCAA runner-up at West Liberty State. He transferred to Oklahoma State for the 1964-65 season, where he won the Big 8 Championships. As a prep, Douglas was a two-time Ohio state champion for Bridgeport High School.
Douglas transitioned to coaching in 1973, leading UC Santa Barbara, before moving to Arizona State the following year. He led the Sun Devils to new heights over 18 years as head coach, earning the program’s only NCAA title in 1988, nine conference titles and nine top-10 NCAA finishes, plus coaching two individual NCAA champions—Eddie Urbano (1985) and Dan St. John (1989, 1990)—37 conference champions and 58 All-Americans. Douglas added 14 seasons as head coach at Iowa State from 1992-2006, coaching individuals to 10 NCAA titles, 31 conference titles and 52 NCAA All-America honors.
Douglas coached many notable athletes, … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2026/february/24/two-time-olympian-hall-of-fame-wrestler-and-coach-bobby-douglas-passes-away-at-age-83
2025-26 Top 40 National High School Wrestling Rankings – Feb. 21, 2026
Oklahoma duals provide the only major changes to national high school wrestling team rankings.
Billy Buckheit | Feb 21, 2026
Bixby placed second in the Oklahoma state duals to No. 15 Stillwater, but the Spartans still made the biggest upward move in this week’s national rankings, going from No. 33 to No. 16. / Bixby Wrestling
Aside from what happened at the 6A Oklahoma State Dual Meet Tournament, the team ranking changes this week were minimal.
California and New Jersey Offer the Best Opportunities for Future Shakeups
We expect more of that as we come to the close of the season. Most of the teams on this list will dominate their state tournaments, with a few potentially having some epic clashes, specifically in California and New Jersey.
Lake Highland Prep and Blair Set for One More Battle at National Prep Tournament
The final word on the National Prep rivalry with Lake Highland Prep and Blair Academy will be settled this weekend, with the winner taking final position over the other. Without any new evidence, it would likely take Buchanan failing to win their Masters tournament this weekend or next week’s states for them to tumble from the top spot.
State Tournament scoring can be skewed given the nature of only the best reaching the podium, so we measure those scores realistically and balance them with all a team’s results.
Like the individuals, the teams have some clear chains then some jumbled spots. We use all results to place them, not just one.
2025-26 Top 40 National High School Wrestling Rankings – Feb. 21, 2026
1-Buchanan, CA
Previous No. 1
Competed at and won the Central Section D1 Tournament over Clovis and Clovis North.
2-Lake Highland Prep, FL
Previous No. 2
Won the Southeast National Prep Qualifier.
3-Blair Academy, NJ
Previous No. 3
Took the team crown at the New Jersey/New York Prep Qualifier. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/2025-26-top-40-national-high-school-wrestling-rankings-feb-21-2026-01kj06mpa983
Bushnell to Add Men’s and Women’s Wrestling
EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University announced on Monday that the Beacons will add two new varsity programs with men’s and women’s wrestling officially joining the sport offerings in the fall of 2027.
Bushnell athletics cites the recent rise in popularity in youth wrestling as a contributing factor in the decision to add both men’s and women’s programs at Bushnell. High School wrestling participation nationally is at its highest in over 50 years with nearly 375,000 boys and girls competing. Additionally, Bushnell will be the seventh four-year university in Oregon to sponsor the sports.
“We are thrilled to be adding to our athletic offerings with the addition of our wrestling program,” said Athletic Director Corey Anderson. “Girls Wrestling is the fastest growing high school sport in the country, and USA Wrestling has launched national campaigns to increase the popularity of the sport. National trends for high school and collegiate programs are on an upward trajectory.”
Anderson added, “We have quickly learned that there is a strong passion for men’s and women’s wrestling in Eugene, Lane County, Oregon and beyond. Once we started talking to a few, key contacts in the region about the idea of us adding an NAIA collegiate wrestling program, we immediately started having knowledgeable and passionate people reach out to us to celebrate the idea but also wanting to know how they can help. I am excited about these new relationships and partner opportunities that Bushnell Wrestling will provide us while continuing to do The Kingdom’s good work!”
The addition of two new teams will bring Bushnell’s total number of varsity teams to 19 and are the first programs to be added since Baseball came on board in 2021. The Wrestling teams will begin play in the 2027-2028 season, joining the Cascade Conference which boasts 11 men’s and eight women’s programs.
“What an exciting day for Bushnell University, the Cascade Conference, and wrestling in the West,” stated CCC Commissioner Robert Cashell. “The program immensely strengthens men’s and women’s wrestling for the conference and represents continued growth and evolution of Beacon Athletics. It is wonderful to see more opportunities for young men and women to compete in the sport they love at the collegiate level, … more at … https://bushnellbeacons.com/news/2026/2/16/general-bushnell-to-add-mens-and-womens-wrestling.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
NC State Announces 2026 Induction Class for NC State Athletic Hall of Fame
Individuals from seven different sports, a team that won back-to-back national titles, a pioneer for women’s athletics, and a legendary coach comprise the 2026 induction class of the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame, McMurray Family Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced today.
The 10-member class is the eighth overall since the establishment of the Hall of Fame in 2012 and will be inducted at a gala in Reynolds Coliseum on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The 1979 and 1980 NC State cross country teams that repeated as AIAW national champions will be inducted, alongside 1973 ACC Football Player of the Year Willie Burden, Olympic gold medalist Kenny Carr from men’s basketball, and 19-time All-American swimmer Beth Emery. Joining them will be National Champions Matt Hill (men’s golf), Tyrell Taitt (men’s track & field) and Scott Turner (wrestling), along with a national award winner, Marc Primanti (football).
Longtime NC State and ACC administrator Nora Lynn Finch will be honored for her contributions, alongside legendary wrestling coach Bob Guzzo, who led the Wolfpack to 13 ACC titles. “I’m very excited about this induction class because it represents many sports, many decades, and so very many accomplishments,” Corrigan said. “We look forward to recognizing their legacy and their achievements in April and congratulate them on this great honor.”
Ticket sales information for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be shared at a later date.
NC STATE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Class of 2026
Scott Turner, Wrestling (1984-1988)
During his highly successful Wolfpack career, Scott Turner helped lay the foundation for the success that NC State Wrestling still enjoys today. The third national champion in program history, Turner allowed only one point scored on him in the NCAA Tournament, cementing him as the 1988 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler, an award that only one other from NC State has claimed. At the conference level, he won the individual ACC Championship crown three times, as well as the 1984 ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler award as a freshman. He is just one of 13 in program history to earn an individual ACC Championship at least three times. At the national level, Turner was a two-time All-American, earning the honors in 1986 and 1988.
Bob Guzzo, Special Contributor/Wrestling (1974-2004)
A pillar of the NC State wrestling program, Bob Guzzo was named the eighth head coach in program history in 1974 and led the team for the next 30 seasons. A six-time ACC Coach of the Year (’88, ’89, ’91, ’96, ’01, ’02), he led NC State to 13 league titles, a mark that still ranks second for a head coach in ACC history. Four of his athletes were national champions in three different weight classes and those under his direction earned 24 All-America honors. In his three decades at NC State, he amassed an impressive team record of 356-183-7 with a 117-53 mark in ACC competition, mentoring 86 individual ACC Champions and his athletes won ACC Wrestler of the Year honors three times. … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/12/15/football-nc-state-announces-2026-induction-class-for-nc-state-athletic-hall-of-fame
USA Wrestling leader Al Bevilacqua, 85, passed away Sunday.
USA Wrestling received word from his family that long-time USA Wrestling leader Al Bevilacqua, 85, passed away on Sunday, August 10.
Bevilacqua gave a lifetime of service, commitment and love to the sport of wrestling, impacting the lives of thousands of people along the way. He was a staff member and a volunteer leader with USA Wrestling for decades, going back to its roots as the U.S. Wrestling Federation. A respected coach on the high school, college and international levels, his work extended to leadership in many other areas, including his ground-breaking work in the creation of Beat the Streets in New York. He was named USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 2005. He received the Order of Merit from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. Services: There are two viewings at the Massapequa Funeral Home located at 4980 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY on Wednesday, August 13th … more at … Themat.com/news/2025/august/11/usa-wrestling-leader-al-bevilacqua-85-passed-away
And …
Legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized by ‘Seinfeld’ dies at 85
The legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized in an iconic “Seinfeld” scene has died — and everyone from celebrity former students to athletes recalled Tuesday how he went to the mat for them.
“They’re telling me I only have 2 to 3 minutes to give a eulogy,” said Christopher Bevilacqua, the son of beloved late 85-year-old coach and mentor Al Bevilacqua, to The Post.
“I don’t know how you can describe his life in 2 or 3 minutes.”
Al Bevilacqua, who passed away Sunday, got his 15 minutes of TV fame when superstar funnyman Jerry Seinfeld famously name-dropped his former teacher in an episode of his wildly popular series — even though Al never really watched the “show about nothing,” his family said.
“He would go, ‘”Seinfeld”? What is that? A comedy?’ ” said the former coach’s son, Michael. … more at … https://nypost.com/2025/08/12/us-news/legendary-long-island-wrestling-coach-al-bevilacqua-dies/
Wrestling with the American Dream
Afghan refugees find a home on a San Antonio high school athletics team
by Brant deBoer
Elham Jalak and Mustafa Pashtoon met for the first time on a flight from Kabul in February 2016. Jalak was 6 years old, Pashtoon just 8. Their fathers had known each other in the Afghan Army, and their families came to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program, which has helped resettle Afghan citizens who worked with the United States during the war. In America, their dads hoped to find better jobs and education for their children.
It was a big plane, an Emirates double-decker, and the two boys sat next to each other. They didn’t know what to expect once they landed, aside from what they had seen in the movies, and neither spoke English. “Not even one word,” Pashtoon later told the Texas Observer. “I didn’t even know how to write my name.” After the 16-hour flight to Houston, they flew to San Antonio, their new home, where they settled in a northwest neighborhood known for its diverse immigrant communities. A couple years later, their families relocated to San Antonio’s West Side.
The pair started playing sports. “I played soccer, cross-country, track, golf, tennis, soccer, and then I did football and basketball,” Jalak proudly recounted. “We played together.” They sometimes speak about their experiences unemotionally, as if every teenager were forced to flee a war-torn country. Occasionally, they break into Pashto with each other, then switch back to English.
When I first met them at an away junior varsity tournament at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School, they were wrestling. In the gym bleachers, Jalak and Pashtoon, now 15 and 17, were waiting for their next matches along with Saifullah Gul, another Afghan immigrant. Altogether, they were among five Afghan wrestlers on Sidney Lanier High School’s team at that point in the season, about a quarter of the entire team.
Traditional Afghan wrestling—known as Pehlwani—is a popular pastime for boys in the south-central Asian nation, so many Afghan refugees find a natural home on high school wrestling teams in America. This phenomenon is prevalent in California and Virginia, the states with the largest populations of Afghan immigrants. In Texas, the state with the third-largest concentration, it’s pretty much happening in one place: San Antonio’s West Side, and thanks to one person: Faridullah “Ferrari” Samsor. … more at … https://www.texasobserver.org/afghan-refugees-san-antonio-high-school-wrestling/
Wrestling with the American Dream
lham Jalak and Mustafa Pashtoon met for the first time on a flight from Kabul in February 2016. Jalak was 6 years old, Pashtoon just 8. Their fathers had known each other in the Afghan Army, and their families came to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program, which has helped resettle Afghan citizens who worked with the United States during the war. In America, their dads hoped to find better jobs and education for their children.
It was a big plane, an Emirates double-decker, and the two boys sat next to each other. They didn’t know what to expect once they landed, aside from what they had seen in the movies, and neither spoke English. “Not even one word,” Pashtoon later told the Texas Observer. “I didn’t even know how to write my name.” After the 16-hour flight to Houston, they flew to San Antonio, their new home, where they settled in a northwest neighborhood known for its diverse immigrant communities. A couple years later, their families relocated to San Antonio’s West Side.
The pair started playing sports. “I played soccer, cross-country, track, golf, tennis, soccer, and then I did football and basketball,” Jalak proudly recounted. “We played together.” They sometimes speak about their experiences unemotionally, as if every teenager were forced to flee a war-torn country. Occasionally, they break into Pashto with each other, then switch back to English.
When I first met them at an away junior varsity tournament at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School, they were wrestling. In the gym bleachers, Jalak and Pashtoon, now 15 and 17, were waiting for their next matches along with Saifullah Gul, another Afghan immigrant. Altogether, they were among five Afghan wrestlers on Sidney Lanier High School’s team at that point in the season, about a quarter of the entire team.
Traditional Afghan wrestling—known as Pehlwani—is a popular pastime for boys in the south-central Asian nation, so many Afghan refugees find a natural home on high school wrestling teams in America. This phenomenon is prevalent in California and Virginia, the states with the largest populations of Afghan immigrants. … more at … https://www.texasobserver.org/afghan-refugees-san-antonio-high-school-wrestling/
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 