Black Knights seeking 1st finals appearance since 2017
Robbinsville – There’s a reason the third round of the dual-team postseason is dubbed the “Elite 8.”
The Black Knights found out after Wednesday’s press deadline if their duals roster was strong enough to withstand another tough evening of competition, as Robbinsville (No. 2 seed, 25-7) clinched a spot in the third round of the state bracket by downing Rosman (No. 15) and Alleghany (No. 7) in the respective first and second rounds on its home mat Saturday.
The Trojans did not make things easy on the Knights, as Carson Worrick (157 pounds) scored a 14-0 majority decision over Luke Green to begin the second-round dual. Alexis Nuevo (165) followed with a pin against Devin Hall, pushing Alleghany to a quick 10-0 lead.
Robbinsville’s first reply came when Jayce Grooms (175) recorded a 19-4 technical fall on Reece Miller. Christian Koeller (190) then earned a 3-2 nod over Hayden Williams, leaving the Knights trailing 10-8.
Dylan Phipps (215) won an overtime thriller with Kellen Ensley by decision, to give the Trojans three more to hang their hat on.
Jonah Teesateskie (285) got the points right back for “The Ville,” picking up a 4-1 decision against Jason Vielandi.
The Black Knights nabbed their first lead of the dual when Skyler Anderson (106) pinned Valentino Guerrero in just 44 seconds, pulling ahead 17-13. Adair Panama (113) won via forfeit, while Ethan Webster (120) pinned Hayven Creed in 2:58.
Christopher Nuevo (126) then bested Ayden Conley in a 13-2 major, which proved to be the Trojans’ final chance at a rally. Ahead 29-17, Robbinsville sealed the deal with a 17-2 tech from Loxston Hooper (132) against Kade Parlier and a Knox Orr (138) pinfall victory against Elijah Barker.
Having mathematically wrapped up the dual, the Knights ceded the final two bouts to Allegheny’s Cooper Parlier (144) and Troy Crouse (150).
Bouts were few and far between against the Tigers in the opening round. Lleyton Hooper (150) started the affair by scoring an 18-1 technical fall against Koen Kiser. Green later pinned Ayden Gibson in 1:33, before Rosman’s Samuel Curtis (175) garnered the same outcome against Grooms at 3:11. Kadin Chaga (190) pulled off a 6-5 decision win against Koeller, which was the final win for the Tigers.
Later in the dual, Panama pinned Michael Scott at the 3-minute mark; and Loxston Hooper ran up a 14-3 majority decision against Matthew Barton. Forfeit wins for Robbinsville were afforded to Hall, Ensley, Teesateskie, Anderson, Conley, Webster, Orr and Braydon Lane (144).
Wednesday’s action was held at Polk County High School in Columbus; the Knights were paired with the hosting Wolverines (No. 6) in the third round. Waiting in the wings to face the winner immediately thereafter was whichever program emerged victorious between Mount Airy (No. 1) and Bradford Preparatory Academy (No. 4).
The 1A Western Regional champion will then head to the Novant Health Fieldhouse in Greensboro on Saturday for the state finals match.