Black Knights improve to 12-2
Robbinsville – Six duals in a span of four days would be a grind for most programs.
For Robbinsville, it’s business as usual.
The Black Knights welcomed schools from across – and outside – the state for Saturday’s inaugural H.O.O.T. Duals, ultimately mowing over Bandys 56-15; Hayesville 78-0; Murphy 78-6; Notre Dame (Tenn.) 63-16; and Union County, Ga., 53-27, to win the event.
Robbinsville (12-2) then dictated things from the outset in a home dual against Cherokee, toppling the Braves 78-6.
Bandys deferred just one weight class to forfeit Saturday – Alexis Panama (120 pounds) was more than happy to take the nod – but found very little success against the hosts. Matthew Cranfill bested Robbinsville’s Kellen Ensley (215) in a 5-3 decision; while Brock Brusca pinned Luke Green in the 157-pound bout and Gavin Miles earned a forfeit win at 175 pounds for the Trojans.
Otherwise, it was all Black Knights: Kage Williams (190), Skyler Anderson (106), Adair Panama (113), Loxston Hooper (126), Avery Phillips (132) and Kyler Branham (165) all pinned their opponents. Other finishes saw Koleson Dooley (285) score a 10-2 majority decision over Spencer Shade; Bobby Moore (144) rack up a 20-8 major against Elijah Childers; and both Lleyton Hooper (138) and Juan Rios (150) both secure respective 10-3 and 9-6 decisions for Robbinsville.
Robbinsville jumped to a 36-0 lead over Union County, thanks to Anderson, Adair Panama and Loxston Hooper all picking up forfeits wins; and Alexis Panama, Avery Phillips and Lleyton Hooper each pinning their way to victory.
Down the stretch, Williams scored a 17-2 technical over David Heredia, before Ensley and Dooley rattled off back-to-back pins to secure both the dual and overall championship.
Individual bout results from Tuesday were not available by The Graham Star’s Wednesday press deadline.
Lady Knights
Robbinsville (1-4) continues to show tremendous improvement with his upstart Lady Knights varsity program, despite the team taking some lumps over the last week.
The first girls-only home dual took place Friday, which saw Robbinsville fall to Smoky Mountain 48-18. The Knights scored their points on Anna Norris and Campbell Brooks’ respective forfeit wins at 120 and 165 pounds; plus Alexis El-Khouri (138) pinning Ruby Montanez in the third period.
A trip to Pisgah’s Call Out Duals on Saturday provided more opportunities for mat time, though the Lady Knights fell 54-12 to the hosting Lady Bears; 42-30 in a much-closer match with Smoky Mountain; and 72-0 against Swain County.
Andrea Sheeks (114) and Koda Stinson (132) prevailed via forfeit against Pisgah; while Sheeks, Norris, Jayce Shuler (145) and Pacey Bradshaw (165) had their hands raised thanks to the same outcome against the Lady Mustangs.
El-Khouri once again pinned Montanez, with her triumph coming in the second segment.