Black Knights conquer senior night, league invitational
Robbinsville – State duals are right around the corner, but no matter the format in front of them when the Black Knights arrive to a gym, there is no disputing that the program is wrestling in top form.
After celebrating Senior Night on Jan. 22 with resounding victories over North Henderson and Swain County, Robbinsville conquered 10 of the 14 weight classes Saturday at the Smoky Mountain Conference Invitational in Andrews. The Knights squashed the remainder of the division by running up a tally of 214 team points, trumping second-place Hayesville, which scored 111.
Senior Night launched with Robbinsville (23-7) winning the annual “Battle of the Knights” over North Henderson, 44-28. Adair Panama (113), Ethan Webster (126), Loxston Hooper (132), Devin Hall (150), Christian Koeller (190) and Kellen Ensley (215) each prevailed by pinfall for Robbinsville, while Lleyton Hooper (144) shut out his opponent 15-0 for a technical fall. Jonah Teesateskie (285) carved out a 7-1 decision.
The Black Knights downed Swain County 56-24 in the main event. Knox Orr (138), Hall, Koeller and Ensley all won their bouts via pinfall, while Panama, Braydon Lane (157) and Teesateskie each had their hands raised thanks to forfeits. Loxston Hooper scored a 19-4 technical fall and Jayce Grooms (165) picked up a 13-7 decision nod.
Conference champions emerging from Saturday’s tournament were Panama, Loxston Hooper, Orr, Lleyton Hooper, Hall, Luke Green (157), Grooms, Koeller, Ensley and Teesateskie. Webster finished second, while Ayden Conley (120) placed third.
Seeding for the state dual-team championship will take place today. The first and second rounds will be held Saturday.
Lady Knights
Robbinsville (10-14) dropped its Senior Night duals to North Henderson 48-15 and Swain County, 57-9.
Alexis El-Khouri (132) earned a 5-4 decision win over North Henderson’s Sophie Stepp, while both Emma Taylor (165) and Cecilia Maney (185) both picked up forfeit victories.
Against the Lady Devils, Alexis Miller (107) pinned Faith West and Julia Vazquez (114) emerged with a 1-0 decision over Eiliana Norton.
Six Lady Knights finished second at Saturday’s invitational: Miller, Vazquez, Madison Cable (120), El-Khouri, Cheyanne Geyer (152) and Maney. Taylor placed fourth in her division.