Girls varsity begins season at Lady Devil Duals
Hudson – If the opening week for Robbinsville’s varsity wrestling program is any indication of what’s to come, opponents can instead anticipate looking at the lights when the ref slaps the mat.
The Black Knights won the Dekota Smith Invitational on Saturday, outpacing Mooresville Senior 161-153 to obtain the championship plaque. The showing was just two days removed from Robbinsville beginning its dual season with a 1-1 mark, following a 54-24 dismantling of West Henderson and a tiebreaker loss to the hosting T.C. Roberson Rams in a tri-match Nov. 16.
To reach the mountaintop just outside Hickory on Saturday, Robbinsville benefitted greatly from Skylar Anderson (106 pounds), Adair Panama (113), Loxston Hooper (126) and Avery Phillips (132) all running the table in their respective weight classes. Defending state champion Alexis Panama (120), Lleyton Hooper (150) and Kyler Branham (175) each placed second in their divisions; while Juan Rios (144) and Christian Phillips (138) wrapped up respective third- and fourth-place finishes in their fields. Bracey Wilson (285) also competed in the tournament, going 1-2 on the day.
West Henderson was ahead 18-3 on Nov. 16, but a rapid-fire run of six straight pinfalls in Robbinsville’s favor – courtesy of Anderson, Adair Panama, Alexis Panama, Loxston Hooper, Christian Phillips and Avery Phillips – quickly shifted the tide into the Knights’ corner.
Lleyton Hooper later pinned his opposition, as well; Rios bridged the gap with a 19-3 technical fall for Robbinsville, while Jeremiah Phillips (165) earned an 11-2 majority victory. Branham opened the dual with a 4-2 win.
Triumphs for the Black Knights against T.C. Roberson came thanks to a 3-0 Branham decision; pinfall victories, courtesy of Anderson, Alexis Panama, Avery Phillips and Ethan Webster (138); a 18-3 technical nod for Loxston Hooper; and a 14-6 majority decision in favor of Adair Panama.
Lady Knights
Bryson City – The first-ever N.C. High School Athletic Association-sanctioned women’s wrestling season began for Robbinsville on Saturday, with the Lady Knights making the short trek to Swain County for the Lady Devil Invitational.
Of the seven grapplers who donned a Robbinsville singlet, two placed: Andrea Sheets (107) and Kyla Jenkins (152).
The two freshmen secured fourth place in their brackets.
Alexis El-Khouri (145) finished the day with a 1-2 record; while Velvet Carver (107), Anna Norris (114), Koda Stinson (132) and Campbell Brooks (165) plied their craft for Robbinsville.
Both varsity programs remained busy after the Star’s early Tuesday deadline, hosting Franklin and T.C. Roberson in a tri-match.