Hendersonville – It might have taken 17 trips to get it right, but all that matters is that Robbinsville got it right.
The Black Knights made their traditional trek to West Henderson on Friday and Saturday for the Falcon Frenzy. Bolstered by four individual champions and 11 placers, Robbinsville brought home its first championship from the tournament, besting North Henderson 261-164 to win the title.
“This is the single best exhibition of wrestling across the board I have ever seen, top to bottom,” Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom said. “I am very excited for what the future holds for this bunch.”
Jayden Nowell (132 pounds), Kyle Fink (182), Kage Williams (195) and Ben Wachacha (220) each prevailed in their weight classes. Nowell downed Enka’s Bodhi McCormack via 10-6 decision, Fink edged Pisgah’s Alex Almarez 5-4, Williams pinned Erwin’s Daniel Rivera and Wachacha bested North Henderson’s Reese Meadows via pinfall.
Jaret Panama (160), Jacob Hall (170) and Carlos Wesley (285) finished second in their respective brackets, while Zane Lucksavage (138) took third in his. Aynsley Fink (106) and Avery Phillips (120) placed fourth, with Willie Riddle (152) taking fifth.
Also competing at the tournament were Mason Phillips (113) and Juan Rios (145).
Robbinsville’s up-and-coming grapplers also showed out at the tournament, with the Knights prevailing in the junior varsity bracket as well.
First-place winners for the younger Knights were Lawton Gibby (8U, 49 pounds); Zander Lucksavage (12U, 86); Loxston Hooper (14U, 119); Lleyton Hooper (14U, 130-136); and Kyler Branham (14U, 187). Finishing second were Zebediah Lucksavage (8U, 49) and Benton Gibby (14U, 83).