Highway tested

"We're not afraid to travel" has been a long-standing mantra of the Robbinsville wrestling program.

After all, how else can you test the theory of finding the best competition to make yourself the best if you are unwilling to log a few miles?

The Knights stretched the concept to the limit last weekend, with one crew visiting the Enka Duals in Candler; another squad enrolling in the Osley B. Saunooke Memorial Invitational at Cherokee; and the new Lady Knights team working their way through the Lady Bearcat Invitational in Hendersonville.

Opponents jettisoned

Candler – When the dual-team, state-title bracket launches in a few weeks, Robbinsville will have a strong case for a high seed.

From the outset, the Black Knights dominated the five teams faced in Saturday's Enka Duals. Robbinsville (27-2) toppled Chase 76-6; Erwin, 70-12; the hosting Jets 53-15; Madison, 68-9; and Rutherfordton-Spindale Central in the finale, 59-6.

Chase's only victory came thanks to the Knights forfeiting the 175-pound weight class, allowing Jordan Baxter to get his hand raised. Elsewhere, Skyler Anderson (106 pounds), Adair Panama (113), Lleyton Hooper (138), Juan Rios (144), Bobby Moore (150) and Kyler Branham (165) benefitted from a limited Trojans roster by securing 36 team points for Robbinsville via forfeit. Alexis Panama (120), Blake Powers (157), Kage Williams (190), Kellen Ensley (215) and Koleson Dooley (285) each pinned their opponents, while both Loxston Hooper (126) and Avery Phillips (132) chalked up back-to-back, respective technical falls of 19-2 and 16-0.

The Erwin Warriors were the first to draw blood from Robbinsville, when Bryson Plemmons pinned Powers. Haziel Marcial-Rodriguez received the other six points for Erwin with a forfeit win at 175 pounds.

The dual started with the 215-pound weight class and the Black Knights scarcely let off the gas pedal after Ensley's first-round pinfall triumph. Dooley, Adair Panama, Loxston Hooper, Lleyton Hooper, Rios, Branham and Williams each won after the count of one; Anderson, Alexis Panama and Phillips prevailed in forfeits. The remaining four points came thanks to Moore claiming an 11-3 majority decision.

Enka's dents in the Robbinsville armor consisted of Gavin Cryderman besting Phillips, 2-1; Bodhi McCormack pinning Powers; and Andrew McKinley earning a forfeit nod.

Otherwise, the Knights dictated the match. Pinfalls were cinched by Alexis Panama, Loxston Hooper, Rios, Branham, Williams and Ensley; while both Anderson and Moore scored respective major wins of 9-1 and 12-0. Three-point decisions were afforded to Adair Panama, who won his bout 10-4; Lleyton Hooper, who downed his opponent 6-2; and Dooley, who earned a 3-1 win after an overtime war.

Madison also picked up six points when Max Shelton secured a forfeit at 175; Cade Woody's 2-1 decision over Rios was the Patriots' only other damage.

Adair Panama, Alexis Panama, Phillips, Lleyton Hooper, Powers, Williams, Dooley and Anderson were all victorious in forfeits; Moore and Branham pinned their way to wins. Loxston Hooper scored a 16-1 technical, while Ensley picked up a 7-1 decision.

The 175-pound competition in the main event was forfeited by both teams; Rutherford-Spindale etched a pair of decisions into the scorebook, thanks to Gunner Horton prevailing over Phillips 7-4 and Caleb Cox edging Powers, 13-12.

Alexis Panama, Loxston Hooper, Moore, Branham, Williams, Ensley, Dooley, Anderson and Adair Panama all pinned their Hilltopper foe, while Lleyton Hooper and Rios posted consecutive majors of 17-7 and 14-0.

Adair Panama finished the resounding showing for Robbinsville with a 5-4 decision.

4th in Osley

Cherokee – Ethan Webster had a breakout performance at Saturday's annual Osley B. Saunooke Memorial Invitational, definitively knocking down two opponents in the 126-pound weight class to earn the title of the showcase's "Most Outstanding Wrestler."

Webster (10-4) was the only Robbinsville grappler to win a weight class at the event, but the Black Knights still finished with 71 team points -- good for 4th overall. Smoky Mountain took home the championship trophy after recording 198 points in its favor.

Webster's triumph came thanks to a 14-8 decision victory over Smoky Mountain's Gavin Coggins. In the title bout, he pinned Andrews' Micah Roehm in the second period.

Elsewhere on the bill, Austin Bohn (120, 3-1) and Jonah Teesateskie (285, 3-1) both finished second in their fellow chases, while Colby Welch (106, 2-1) placed third.

Luke Green (150, 7-9) and Zander Davis (157, 2-5) also competed for Robbinsville.

Special Knight

Robbinsville – Before embarking on the hectic weekend slate, the Black Knights welcomed Brevard and Andrews for a tri-match Jan. 3 on Senior Night.

Robbinsville downed the Blue Devils 67-9, before making short work of Andrews 84-0.

Perhaps the toughest test of the season for 3-time state champion Kage Williams came against Brevard. The Appalachian State-commit was pitted against Ray Laney in the 190-pound bout; Laney reached the finals of the 2A, 195-pound state bracket last year. Williams prevailed 7-4 in a rare decision that went the distance.

Jaxon Turner secured a win at 165 pounds for Brevard via forfeit, before Branham fell in a tough 5-4 decision to Koltt McCall.

Robbinsville did not relent in any other weight class. Adair Panama, Alexis Panama, Loxston Hooper, Avery Phillips, Christian Phillips (138), Rios and Dooley all pinned their opponents; while Powers ran up a 13-4 major. Moore, Ensley and Anderson picked up 18 easy points in forfeits.

The Wildcats only had four wrestlers present for their duals. Alexis Panama pinned Josiah Roehm; Loxston Hooper toppled Micah Roehm; Green (wrestling at 165) took care of Hayden Virtanen; and Adair Panama ended the quartet of pinfalls with a second-round downing of Chase Beasley.

Lady Knights

Hendersonville – Five of Robbinsville's female mat stars competed in the second annual Lady Bearcat Invitational.

Kyla Jenkins (145, 8-8) took third in her division; the nine team points she scored for the Lady Knights was all the team was able to put into the race. She would pin T.C. Roberson's Ireland Carolan to wrap up the bronze medal.

Also wrestling for Robbinsville was Andrea Sheeks (107, 7-12), Koda Stinson (132, 3-10), Alexis El-Khouri (138, 8-11) and Pacey Bradshaw (165, 3-7).

The Knights finished 16th in the team race; Swain County earned top bragging rights by recording 121 points.