Knights crown 3 regional champs; team finishes 2nd
Robbinsville – Avery County continues to be a thorn in the side of the Black Knights’ wrestling team.
After Robbinsville claimed the 1A Western Regional Invitational team championship last season, the Vikings showed up to Graham County for the two-day grind Friday and Saturday and left with the hardware, with the Knights’ posting 191 to Avery County’s 218.5.
Robbinsville’s performance was bolstered by a trio of grapplers winning regional titles: Alexis Panama (120 pounds, 47-3), Loxston Hooper (126, 47-2) and Kage Williams (190, 34-0).
Additionally, nine Black Knights finished in the top four or higher in their weight classes to qualify for this weekend’s state invitational in Greensboro.
“I figured we had a good shot at 11 qualifying, but having nine still makes us the second-largest program of qualifiers in the state,” said Robbinsville head coach David Haney. “The only other school that had more than us was Uwharrie Charter (Academy); they had 11.”
Adair Panama (113, 48-2) also reached the finals for Robbinsville, but fell to Avery County’s Cooper Foster (50-0) in a 9-0 major.
Placing third was Skyler Anderson (106, 47-3); Kellen Ensley (215, 26-10) and Koleson Dooley (285, 34-4); fourth place was afforded to Avery Phillips (132, 39-11) and Lleyton Hooper (138, 36-14).
Other competitors for the Knights were Juan Rios (144, 38-17); Bobby Moore (150, 29-13); Luke Green (157, 10-16); Kyler Branham (165, 36-13) and Christian Koeller (175, 5-6).
“(Assistant coach) Colby White did an excellent job. He pretty much ran the tournament, from beginning to end,” Haney said, of how things played out with 26 teams converging on Graham County for the regional tournament.
With nine chances to attain gold, Robbinsville has one final opportunity to vanquish Avery County at the state invitational.
“We’re as capable of winning state as anybody,” Haney observed. “It’s going to be 1-of-3: Uwharrie, Avery or us. If all nine of our kids will place (fourth or higher), I am very confident that we will win.”