Robbinsville falls in tight regional final
Newland – The quest for another 1A dual team championship will have to wait at least one more year.
Despite holding the No. 1 Western seed, Robbinsville (32-3) had to travel to Avery County (No. 2) for regional competition in the state postseason Jan. 31. The Black Knights were paired against Alleghany (No. 4); the hosting Vikings tangled with Mount Airy (No. 3) on the adjacent mat. Robbinsville prevailed 36-33 against the Trojans and Avery County disposed of the Granite Bears 55-18, setting the Knights and Vikings on a collision course for the Western regional title.
Sadly, Robbinsville could not hold off a late rally by Avery County. Controversy surrounded the final outcome: 36-28, Vikings.
“I’m not going to make any excuses; we should’ve won and we didn’t,” Robbinsville head coach David Haney said. “But in a tight match, there’s a lot of little things that usually make the difference.”
At 120 pounds. Alexis Panama had ran up a hefty lead over King Orvosh and took his adversary down for a near-fall. In the heat of battle, Orvosh signaled to the referee that he was unable to breathe – using a gesture nicknamed the “whirlybird.” Panama had no choice but to obey instruction and let Orvosh up for an official timeout. Instead of six points via pin, Panama had to settle for a 16-2 major decision, which only afforded four points toward the match score.
It was also the final outcome that favored the Knights, who entered the final bout down 33-28 instead of 33-30. Juan Rios (150 pounds) was pitted against Johnathon Gragg, with a finals appearance on the line. Rios fell 3-2.
Robbinsville next plays host to the 1A Western Regional Invitational. Opening bouts launch at 5 p.m., Friday; the finals will be held Saturday. Haney noted that as of Monday, 10 Knights wrestlers are seeded in the top five or better; likewise, nine Vikings are in the top five.