Anderson, Robbinsville football receives Mountain Amateur Athletic accolades
Asheville – Much like everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated the possibility of holding the 59th Western North Carolina Sports Awards.
The annual gala – held at Asheville’s Omni Grove Park Inn – is normally a packed event, filled with dinner, laughter and most of all, recognition of the top athletes in Western North Carolina. Last month, the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club – who puts on the ceremony – announced the cancellation and subsequent nominations for the 2020 finalists. Recently, the club released the winners.
Included was Robbinsville senior Rylee Anderson and the 2019 Black Knights football team.
Anderson was named the Merrill Lynch/Keller Ferrell Division II Male Athlete in a Major Sport.
The all-time rushing leader for Robbinsville High School, Anderson amassed 6,159 yards while playing for the Black Knights.
Anderson’s stats places him 25th on the all-time North Carolina rushing list. He trampled his way to 2,034 yards and 32 touchdowns during his senior campaign alone.
The 2019 Black Knights powered their way to a perfect 15-0 season and trumped Northampton County 45-14 in the 1A state championship game on Dec. 14. Robbinsville had 5,894 yards of offense in 2019.
The Knights’ dominant season was recognized by the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club with the Fields Auto Group Division II Male Team in a Major Sport award.
Awards will be mailed to all winners and they will also receive recognition at the 2021 ceremony. WLOS will be airing a one-hour special to commemorate the winners on Saturday, June 27.