Bryson City – Robbinsville's pursuit of the program's second dual-team state wrestling championship came to a heartbreaking conclusion Wednesday at Swain County High School.
Entering the postseason with the No. 1 seed, Robbinsville (29-4) faced a fired-up Swain County (No. 5, 21-9) on its home mat, but exorcised the Maroon Devils 41-24. This set up a rematch from last year's 1A Western Regional Final, as Avery County (No. 6, 22-3) waited in the wings after besting Mount Airy (No. 3, 11-1) in the other third-round dual at Swain.
The back-to-back state champions took the Black Knights to their very limit, with the dual literally coming down to the last bout contested. A pinfall clinched the match – and set up the third-straight state finals between the Vikings and Uwharrie Charter Academy – as Avery County squeaked out a 39-34 win over Robbinsville.
Look for a more detailed analysis of Wednesday's outcome for the Black Knights in the Feb. 9 edition of The Graham Star.