Robbinsville one bout away from state-championship match
Bryson City – Robbinsville’s pursuit of the program’s second dual-team, state-wrestling championship came to a gut-wrenching conclusion Feb. 1 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 turned away the Maroon Devils’ challenge 41-24.
This set up a rematch from last year’s 1A Western Regional Final, as Avery County (No. 6, 22-4) 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 fate of the dual literally coming down to the last bout contested. Sadly, Avery County’s Cael Dunn pinned Turner Jackson with 17 seconds left in the first period, punching the Vikings’ third-straight ticket to the 1A title match with a 39-34 stunner over an understandably-solemn Robbinsville program that was on a quest for its second-ever, state-duals championship (the Knights won their only 1A crown in 2017).
“It was disappointing that we lost, but I thought our kids showed up and fought,” noted Robbinsville head coach David Haney.
The Western final started at 182 pounds, meaning two-time state champion Kage Williams had a chance to make a good first impression in his bout against Brandon Cabrera. At the 1:38 mark, Williams did just that, pinning Cabrera. Avery’s Seth Blackledge (195) brought the dual back to square one by pinning Kyler Branham, but consecutive pinfall victories for Kellen Ensley (220) and Koleson Dooley (285) – over respective opponents Grayson Lolies and Connor Brewer – shoved Robbinsville out front 18-6.
Adair Panama (106) took a tough 7-2 decision loss against Avery’s Cooper Foster, but Alexis Panama (113) followed by scoring a 12-2 majority decision over King Orvosh. Robbinsville’s 13-point lead (22-9) at that point was the largest either team would have in the match.
The Vikings began their comeback quest when Ben Jordan (120) pinned Ethan Webster at the 1:06 mark. Mason Bentley (126) tacked on three to Avery’s team score by defeating Loxston Hooper 9-3, before Grant Reece (132) pinned Christian Phillips in 42 seconds to give Avery its first advantage, 24-22.
Robbinsville’s Devin Hall (138) had no answers for a great defensive showing from Johnathon Gragg, dropping the bout 5-0. Willie Riddle (145) attempted to calm troubled waters for the Knights by muscling Staley Griffith to the mat for a pin, but Tristan Adams (152) quickly turned the lead back over to the Vikings with a pinfall of his own. Avery led 33-28, but Barrett Potter (160) almost cost the defending state champions a return to Greensboro by handing Blake Powers a disqualification victory (stalling).
Dunn’s quick triumph over Jackson then deflated the room.
Individual time
The focus of the season now shifts to the “traditional” (individual) format.
Robbinsville will make the trip to Mitchell High School in Bakersville for the 1A Western Regional Tournament on Friday.
Both Williams and Alexis Panama enter the tournament as defending state champions, but Haney likes the Knights’ chances of adding more champions to its cherished lineage.
“We feel like we’ve got several good shots at getting kids through to the state finals, but there’s kids that are not on the radar that are going to have to battle,” Haney said. “It’s not just going be given to them, but I’m convinced that most of our kids will have a good day and make it through.”