Robbinsville wrestling continues strong beginning to season
Charlotte – Even in the bright lights of the big city, Alexis Panama found a way to stick out.
With a 7-4, semifinal decision nod over South Rowan’s Mateo Diaz, Panama achieved career victory No. 100 for Robbinsville.
The 120-pounder went on to drop the championship bout of Saturday’s Jim Hayes Invitational – held at East Mecklenburg High School – to Northwestern’s Corey Dye in a tough 4-1 decision, but the two-time state champion is on an upward trajectory that a bump here and there cannot deter.
Panama (9-2) joined Loxston Hooper (126 pounds, 12-1); Avery Phillips (132, 13-2); and Lleyton Hooper (138, 9-5) as Robbinsville’s second-place individual finishers in the massive tournament, which welcomed all classifications from across North Carolina – and even some visitors from across state lines.
Skyler Anderson (106, 13-0) and Adair Panama (113, 12-0) conquered their respective fields; while Kyler Branham (165, 10-2) placed third. All of the grapplers’ work cemented a second-place team score of 162.5 points; Trinity won the tournament with 242.
Others competing for “The ‘Ville” at the invitational were Juan Rios (144, 11-6); Bobby Moore (150, 6-4) and Bracey Wilson (285, 2-7).
1 dual downfall
Cherryville – Robbinsville improved to 6-2 over the last week in dual action, going 2-for-3 in a quad at Cherryville High School and prevailing in the Smoky Mountain Conference opener at Murphy on Tuesday, 60-18.
Wins at Cherryville were against the hosting Ironmen, 52-6; and the Alleghany Trojans, 38-36.
Ranked No. 7 in North Carolina, the Black Knights ran into a not-so-friendly, familiar foe at Cherryville: the No. 2-ranked Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles.
The final score is not indicative of Robbinsville’s performance on the mat, which head coach David Haney repeatedly described with one word: “great.”
How great? Beginning at 120 pounds, Alexis Panama drew first blood by handing a 9-1 decision to Brennan Worrell.
Loxston Hooper and Avery Phillips then scored back-to-back pins at 126 and 132 pounds over respective adversaries Rick Riccaredella and Caleb Saldana.
Right out of the gate, Robbinsville led 16-0.
But a lack of depth early in the season reared its ugly head thereafter, as the Knights had to concede five bouts to forfeits, awarding Uwharrie 30 points.
Additionally, Lleyton Hooper and Moore were both pinned; while Rios, Branham and Anderson fell via decision.
Adair Panama had his hand raised via forfeit to conclude the match.
In other contests at Murphy, the Robbinsville Middle School Black Knights defeated the Bulldogs 60-36; while the high school Lady Knights conquered the hosts 30-6.
Bout-by-bout results from Tuesday were not available by Wednesday’s press deadline.