Black Knights return to mats with vengeance, finish 2nd at Enka Duals
Candler – In resounding fashion, Lleyton Hooper joined an esteemed chapter of Robbinsville’s storied wrestling tradition.
During the opening match of Saturday’s Enka Duals, the junior grappler dominated Union (Va.) High School’s Dylan Brugger. The end result was a 20-2 technical fall, but the lopsided win paled in comparison to Hooper being presented with a commemorative banner to signify his 100th career victory.
Hooper is now the third Black Knight to achieve the feat this season alone, as his twin brother Loxston posted win No. 100 at the Trojan Duals on Nov. 20 – in almost identical fashion, conveniently enough: an 18-1 tech against Bandys’ Luke Falasca. Skyler Anderson topped the 100-win mark two weeks later, at the Jim Hayes Invitational on Dec. 7.
Lleyton’s win came amid a 50-21 victory for Robbinsville; the Black Knights ultimately went 4-1 inside the Jet Hangar. Robbinsville went on to down East Henderson 54-24 and R-S Central 38-37, before dropping a 43-36 heartbreaker to Polk County. The Knights claimed second place in the tournament by defeating the hosting Jets, 41-27.
Robbinsville (14-7) continued its march toward the state duals Tuesday, welcoming Hayesville and Rabun County, Ga., in a tri-match. Results were not available by Wednesday’s press deadline.
Lady Knights
Hendersonville – Julia Vazquez finished as Robbinsville’s highest placer in Saturday’s Lady Bearcat Invitational, securing third in the 114-pound division.
Close behind Vazquez (12-19) at the Hendersonville High School-hosted tournament were both Latesha Orr (100 pounds, 20-7) and Alexis El-Khouri (132, 12-8), both of whom placed fourth in their respective brackets. Cheyanne Geyer (145, 13-18) and Cecelia Maney (185, 6-21) each took fifth in their field.
Madison Cable (120, 8-12) also competed for the Lady Knights in the tournament.
Robbinsville’s varsity girls were 4-9 in dual action before Tuesday’s tri-match.