Knights embark on final stretch of sports calendar
* Robbinsville track & field season preview
Robbinsville – As the track & field program continues to build its roster depth from the ground up, the varsity roster is set to compete with what new head coach Dale Farr deems a strong “nucleus.”
Looking over the names associated with either the boys or girls teams, it really is simple logic to follow:
* Does the team return six state qualifiers? Check. Leading the charge is 9-time track & field state champion Zoie Shuler (high, long and triple jumps), who is fresh off an indoor track triple-jump title.
Also back is 2023 state qualifiers Cuttler Adams (long jump, 100-meter dash); Claire Barlow (long and triple jumps), Delaney Brooms (pole vault), Kadence Howell (discus throw) and Caden Nail (pole vault).
* How about regional qualifiers? Check and check. Robbinsville has several of those suiting back up this year, as well. Cooper Adams, Katie-Lyn Gross, Donovin Hall, Tytan Teesateskie and Aubrie Wachacha all made it to the Western Regional meet in 2023.
* What about the future? Checkmate. The roster depth is stocked full of a nice mixture of multi-sport athletes and hungry upstarts. The Black Knights will send returners Tillman Adams, Daegan Bird, Kasen Buchanan, Isiac Collins, Roman Jones and Zeb Stewart out for competition each week; Austin Bohn, Nathan Frederick, Christian Koeller, Darion Ledbetter, John Romero-Dominguez, Jason Solles, Kenyon Swimmer and Dalton Wiggins will also be welcomed to the fold.
For the Lady Knights, returning starters Kaniyah Teesateskie and Helen Ward will join debuting stars Kenzie Belk, Chasity Jones, Ella McGuire, MyKayla McGuire, Haven Phillips, Nora Thomas, Abby Wehr and Krisalee Williams.
Farr is onto something with his theory; each of the athletes listed above bring a lot of versatility to the sport.
And he plans to push them to their limits.
A quick glance over the schedule reveals some new venues for Robbinsville to visit.
This week alone, the Knights began their year after Wednesday’s press deadline at A.C. Reynolds in Asheville, before trekking to Western Carolina University today (Robbinsville competed at Western last year).
Additionally, the Knights will check in at UNC-Asheville (March 30); Montreat College, on two occasions (March 15 and May 11, the regional meet); while also crossing state lines for a pair of meets at Rabun County, Ga. (March 22) and Rabun Gap, Ga. (April 13).
There is a scientific method to Farr’s plan.
“I scheduled some really good meets this year to help us prepare for regionals and state,” Farr explained. “I feel to be the best you need to compete against the best. I also tried to get away from Wednesdays when I could, so the kids could go to church if they chose.
“I feel if we keep improving and working hard, we can make some big waves at regional and state.”
Look for more on Robbinsville’s track & field team in our regional Spring Sports Preview, available later this month.