Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Harold Smith
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(above David Rothwell & Harold Smith)
Harold Smith – Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Smith moved to Winston-Salem at a young age and attended R.J. Reynolds High School. There, he excelled in basketball, football, and track and was a starter on the school’s 1964 state championship football team. He then attended Hargrave Military Academy for one year, earning letters in three sports before transferring to Wake Forest University to play football. He later transferred to Elon University, where he finished his career as a three-year starter in football and graduated in 1971 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.
Smith began his 47-year career as an educator at Graham High School from 1971 to 1973, where he served as head wrestling coach while also coachingfootball and tennis. Though he had never wrestled himself, he quickly developed a reputation as a driven, successful, and innovative coach. A skilled promoter of wrestling, Smith created an exciting atmosphere by organizing wrestling cheerleaders, bringing in the school band, and securing live local radio broadcasts for home matches. His events attracted crowds of up to 1,000 spectators, elevating wrestling’s visibility in the community.
In 1973, Smith founded the wrestling program at Trinity High School, building what would become one of the state’s top programs. While also coaching football, track, and golf, Smith turned Trinity wrestling into a powerhouse. In 1976, Trinity won its first conference championship in just its third season. The following year, Trinity captured the 1977 WNCHSAA dual team championship with a perfect 18-0 record. That same year, Smith established the Trinity Invitational tournament, an event that continues to this day. His 1980 Trinity team captured sectional, regional, and state championships, earning Smith NC Mat News Coach of the Year honors. Trinity followed its state championship season with a fifth-place state finish in 1981.
Smith also served as head wrestling coach at High Point Central High School from 1983 to 1985 and at R.J. Reynolds High School from 1986 to 1988. His 1984 High Point Central team completed an undefeated regular season, won sectional and regional championships, and finished third in the state wrestling tournament.
After earning a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from North Carolina A&T, Smith moved into administration in 1987, serving in administrative positions in Forsyth County while continuing to coach wrestling until 2018. In addition to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Smith is a member of the Mount Tabor Athletic Hall of Fame (2022). He has also been inducted three times into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame (2023, 2024, and 2025), along with his 1977 and 1980 wrestling teams.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Charlie Jenkins
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Cecil Mock & Charlie Jenkins)
Charlie Jenkins – Jenkins began wrestling in elementary school while growing up in Washington, New Jersey. He attended Warren Hills High School, where he played baseball and was a four-year letter winner in wrestling. After graduating high school in 1980, he joined the workforce and moved to Pennsylvania. While his sons were competing in youth wrestling, Jenkins recognized a need for quality officials and acted by becoming a wrestling official in 1986. He worked his way through the system in Pennsylvania’s highly competitive District 11, arguably the strongest wrestling area in the country. While officiating in District 11, Jenkins worked matches involving nationally ranked programs such as Easton High School, Nazareth High School, Parkland High School, and Blair Academy. While in Pennsylvania, Jenkins officiated two National Prep tournaments, multiple dual team championships, sectional tournaments, and six regional championships.
In 2001, Jenkins married his wife Rhonda and moved to North Carolina where he quickly became a key figure in high school and collegiate officiating. He has worked numerous NCHSAA state tournaments and dual team finals, served as co-head official for the state tournament since 2012, and officiated at the collegiate level from 2002 to 2025. He has called two Southern Conference and ACC tournaments, along with multiple NCAA Division II regional championships.
In 2015, Jenkins became a regional supervisor for the Southeastern Wrestling Officials Association, a role he continues to hold. He played a key role working with the NCHSAA on the transition to a three-day state tournament format and the consolidation of dual team finals into a single central location. He has been a consistent and influential voice for wrestling in North Carolina, working to improve championship events and officiating standards. His philosophy is that officials should be open to corrective criticism along with a consistent focus on improvement. Jenkins received the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
Jenkins retired from Scotland County Schools in 2022 after serving as Safe Schools Coordinator for 21 years. Despite overcoming significant health challenges, including cancer and open-heart surgery in recent years, Jenkins has continued to perform his duties at the highest level as a regional supervisor and co-head official of the NCHSAA state tournament.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Butch Ross, Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton & Rex Wells)
Elizabeth Ross Carpenter Shelton – A native of Lincoln County, Shelton grew up in a wrestling family and started keeping score for her father’s West Lincoln Middle School wrestling team when she was just eight years old. She attended West Lincoln High School, where she was a cheerleader, softball player, and wrestling team manager. After graduating from West Lincoln in 1995, she earned a degree in elementary education from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2001 and a master’s degree in school administration from Appalachian State University in 2015. She worked as an educator in Lincoln County Schools, in both teaching and administration, from 1997 to 2018.
Elizabeth has been involved with wrestling at all levels, from youth through college. She got her start with North Carolina USA Wrestling by running the Top Dawg freestyle tournament in 2006 and remains active in the organization today. From 2008 to 2015, she served as an Executive Board Member and Secretary for NC USA Wrestling, and from 2006 to 2015, she served as the State Pairings Director. She was the recipient of the Frank Rader “Person of the Year” award in 2010 and the Southeast Regional Kids/Cadets Person of the Year award for USA Wrestling in 2011. In addition to her work with USA Wrestling, Elizabeth oversaw registration and pairings for the Appalachian State University Wrestling Camp from 2013 to 2021.
Recruited by Sara Koenig and Leigh Hebbard, Elizabeth joined the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament staff in 2008 and continues to play a vital role in planning and coordinating the event today. In addition to overseeing tournament operations, she trains regional directors in the use of Trackwrestling and serves as a resource for tournament directors and coaches across the state during both the regular season and post season. Elizabeth was among the first to bring Trackwrestling to North Carolina, first with NC USA Wrestling and later in the NCHSAA state tournament. She was recognized with the NCHSAA Region 6 Special Person Award in 2019. With the goal of growing wrestling at the grassroots level, Elizabeth and Rusty Carpenter founded and began operating Priorities Wrestling in 2010. Her organization, supported and operated by her family, manages multiple wrestling tournaments across the Southeast, conducting between 50 and 75 events annually. Through her work, she helps teams conduct successful events while providing athletes, coaches, and fans with a high-quality tournament experience. Currently, Elizabeth serves as a customer service representative for FloSports in addition to operating Priorities Wrestling. Her sons, Hunter and Will both wrestled for, and currently coach the West Lincoln wrestling
team with their grandfather, Butch Ross. Elizabeth and her father, Butch, are the first father and daughter inducted into the North Carolina chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Bryan Tutterrow
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Bryan Tuterrow and Mark Harris)
Bryan Tutterrow – Tutterrow is a Statesville native who attended North Iredell High School. Tutterrow was a four-sport athlete at North Iredell in baseball, wrestling, football, and track. Graduating from high school in 1978, he attended Appalachian State University, graduating in 1984 with a degree in mathematics education. He later earned a master’s degree in mathematics education from Appalachian State University in 1995.
Tutterrow dedicated 40 years to coaching high school wrestling, including 38 years as a head wrestling coach, in addition to coaching baseball and football. He began his head coaching career at West Iredell High School where he spent 11 seasons, won over 100 dual meets, and captured one conference championship. He returned to North Iredell High School in 1996, where he built one of the area’s most successful wrestling programs, winning more than 500 dual meets and four conference championships.
Over the course of his career, Tutterrow compiled 670 dual meet victories. His teams produced three individual state champions and 15 state finalists. In 2014, his North Iredell team finished as regional dual team runner-up and captured the regional tournament championship. Tutterrow was recognized five times as conference coach of the year in 1996, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Beyond the high school level, Tutterrow was part of an effort to grow the sport locally. While at West Iredell, he helped establish the I-40/I-77 Wrestling League, which expanded wrestling opportunities throughout the region. Tutterrow is widely known in North Carolina as an outstanding person, coach, and mentor. His teams were consistently well-prepared, well-behaved, and difficult to beat. He positively impacted his student athletes and worked hard to improve and promote wrestling. He coached his sons Matthew and Jacob, both state medalists. Some of his former wrestlers, including Mike Carey (Fred T. Foard), his son Jacob (Cary), and Ritchie Houston (Madison, Georgia) went on to successful coaching careers of their own. Tutterow retired in April 2026, having worked for four decades as an educator in Iredell County.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Jeff Queen
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
Jeff Queen – Born in Morganton, Queen’s family moved to Greensboro during his childhood. He was introduced to wrestling in elementary school and would serve as the wrestling and baseball scorekeeper at Page High School. Graduating in 1988, he continued his education at Elon University, earning a degree in accounting with a minor in marketing in 1992. He then completed a five-year graduate program at Pfeiffer University, earning two master’s degrees in business and health administration.
While in college, Queen was encouraged by his brother Mike, a wrestler at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to begin officiating. This marked the start of what is now 35 consecutive years of officiating wrestling as a member of the Piedmont Wrestling Officials Association. He has officiated in the NCHSAA state tournament for 18 years, worked multiple state dual team playoff matches, and called two dual team state championships. Queen was the recipient of the Dick Knox Distinguished Official Award in 2019.
Known for his professionalism, preparation, and impartiality, Queen has built a strong reputation throughout the North Carolina wrestling community. Wrestlers, coaches, and fans respect him for his fairness, consistency, and ability to make tough calls with confidence. His calm demeanor, ability to listen, and pleasant nature have made him a trusted presence on and off the mat throughout his career.
Beyond officiating, Queen has given back extensively to the wrestling community. He has donated uniforms to the Page High School wrestling program, provided meals and snacks for officials during NCHSAA state tournaments, and actively mentors young officials. Queen is a corporate accountant and serves as Chief Executive Officer of Vecoplan LLC, a company that focuses on industrial shredding and recycling equipment. His nephews, Hunter and Mike were both state champions for Northwood High School. He currently lives in Greensboro and enjoys spending time with his son, Carter.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – David Siler
(above David Siler and Milt Sherman)
David Siler – Siler was born in Winston-Salem and his family moved to Raleigh at a young age. He attended Broughton High School, where he wrestled, served as a student athletic trainer, and was a member of the Service Club. After graduating high school in 1981, he attended North Carolina State University, where he earned a varsity letter in sports medicine and worked as an athletic trainer with the Wolfpack wrestling team. By his senior year, Siler was on a full athletic scholarship for sports medicine. He graduated from NC State in 1986 with a degree in mathematics education. While attending NC State, he traveled to Mexico, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic with Athletes in Action, finishing third in an international freestyle tournament.
Siler taught and coached at Havelock High School from 1986 to 2002, where he served as head wrestling coach and athletic trainer for 16 years. He then moved to Havelock Middle School, coaching wrestling and serving as the school’s athletic trainer until his retirement in 2015 after 29 years as an educator. When he was hired at Havelock High School, he became only the second wrestling coach in the program’s history, replacing Wilber Sasser.
During his 14 years as head coach at Havelock High School, Siler built one of the state’s elite wrestling programs. His teams won state tournament championships in 1996, 1997, and 2001, finished as dual team state runner-up in 1996, and captured the dual team state championship in 1997. Havelock also won three consecutive east regional championships in 1995, 1996, and 1997. His teams also reached the regional dual finals multiple times. Siler compiled a dual meet coaching record of 205-68-1 and coached 26 state medalists, six individual state champions, and 11 state finalists. His accomplishments earned him recognition as NC Mat News Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2001, along with USA Wrestling’s North Carolina coach of the year honors in 2001. Known as a man of character and leadership, Siler emphasized mentorship and personal development alongside success on the mat.
Following his retirement from Havelock, Siler continued his work in education for 10 more years as a math teacher at The Epiphany School of Global Studies. Now fully retired, Siler still supports the Havelock wrestling program and enjoys watching practices and matches when he can. Siler and his wife, Donna, have been married since 1987 and have a son, Andrew, and a daughter, Ashley.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
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
College wrestling: Ranking the Top 10 transfer additions so far
The college wrestling transfer portal is closed for entries, but the commitments are not done yet. Still, there’s plenty of data to take a look at so far when it comes to the best additions this cycle.
Looking at the landscape of the additions for teams that had needs, previous accolades and more, On3 put together 10 transfers in college wrestling that certainly stand out. Stanford keeping guys like Tyler Knox and Hunter Garvin were not included even after they entered the portal, since they returned to their original institution.
There was plenty of talent that did not make the cut. And we all know how wrestling transfers can be extremely random, especially for the graduate transfers year to year. But, here’s a look, as of May 3rd, at the top college wrestling transfer additions.
1. Vince Robinson, NC State to Nebraska (125 lbs.)
Robinson is the crown jewel among the transfer additions in college wrestling. The 2025 NCAA champion and two-time All-American surprisingly left NC State with two years remaining to head to the Big Ten.
He’ll plug in right away and has a chance to return to the top of the podium in 2027. A loaded college room and RTC, Mark Manning and crew should be a nice refresh for Robinson to end his collegiate career over the next two years. Robinson previously said there was no bad blood with the NC State crew, so it’ll certainly take some getting used to seeing him rock a Huskers singlet.
2. Ryan Crookham, Lehigh to Iowa (133 lbs.)
Crookham had an argument for No. 1 transfer this cycle, but the lack of an NCAA title plus his injury history certainly played a factor. At his best, Crookham is one of the best pound for pound wrestlers in the country.
Injuries derailed his last two seasons after a third place finish at the weight in 2024. He’s 11-1 the last two years but it remains to be seen how effective he’ll be in 2026-27. If he’s like his old form, Crookham is a definite NCAA title threat in a loaded weight class of young bucks.
3. Zan Fugitt, Wisconsin to Missouri (133/141 lbs.)
Fugitt was an All-American for Chris Bono and the Badgers in 2025. However, he missed the podium in March and elected to hit the portal to return closer to home for his final two years.
He’s been 133 his whole career but could go 141 as well. Brian Smith knows Fugitt is a welcome addition down low in the Tigers’ lineup as they bolster the lightweights. With Fugitt and another transfer on this list, Missouri looks pretty darn strong next … more at … https://www.on3.com/news/college-wrestling-ranking-the-top-10-transfer-additions-so-far/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
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.
Women’s College Wrestling Is Better With Jason Moorman In It
Jason Moorman is a transformational women’s college wrestling coach. And we need that to continue.
If actions speak, then Jason Moorman’s college coaching career is worth examining.
Moorman landed at Tarleton State after his surprise departure from King University on October 18, 2024. It should surprise no one that an influx of talent followed him to Stephenville, Texas.
Aine Drury was the biggest get. She finished second and fifth at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships after winning a California Community College title. She also reached Final X and won the 2025 U.S. Open.
Tarleton State competes in the NCWA division, which is sort of like a club division, despite spirited debate about its place among women’s college wrestling. It’s the only women’s college division with a national folkstyle championship.
So, when Dury won the 2026 NCWA at 145 pounds, it was folkstyle — not freestyle. Again, no surprise that Tarleton State won back-to-back NCWA team titles.
“(Jason) is the best collegiate women’s wrestling coach in the country. And it’s not close.” – North Central coach Joe Norton
There are others, like California’s Piper Pike. She watched Moorman coach at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships as a high schooler and decided she’d follow him to whichever college he was the head coach at. “When we watch the NCAA finals, I noticed his girls were in quite a few of them,” Pike said. “He’s a really good coach. I like everything about his style and his honesty, and I definitely gelled with that.”
Tarleton State was expected to add a Division I women’s wrestling program, but it hasn’t happened yet. And there’s no timeline on whether it will.
That leaves Moorman in wrestling purgatory. He wants to coach, and he wants to win, but we can’t expect him to stick around forever if the Texans don’t have a sanctioned program. The NCWA is a good option for some, but it isn’t the NCAA or the NAIA. That’s where Moorman needs to be. That’s where women’s wrestling needs him to be. He’s too valuable on the sidelines.
“Jason took me in and taught me how to utilize my talent and not let it go to waste.” – 2016 Olympian Haley Augello
His track record speaks for itself. Moorman started … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/15844605-womens-college-wrestling-is-better-with-jason-moorman-in-it
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
