Black Knights maintain stronghold atop conference
Bryson City – With all the well-documented success the Robbinsville wrestling program has experienced since its 1976 launch, it would be easy to assume that an air of superiority exists for the Knights in the Smoky Mountain Conference.
But head coach David Haney has a way to keep things in perspective, even after a convincing 57-18 win Monday at Swain County to wrap up Robbinsville’s 27th divisional-dual title – and its eighth straight.
“It feels good to be on top again,” Haney touted.
Diminishing numbers across the conference have led to duals becoming quick excursions, as forfeits rack up in the face of a loaded team against one who can only fill in 4-6 weight classes.
Monday’s dual against the Devils is the only divisional match this season where Robbinsville (29-2, 5-0) has had to have the majority of its hands on deck.
The dominant showing all but solidified the Black Knights as the No. 1 Western seed in the 1A Dual Team Playoffs. Seeding occurred after press time, but Robbinsville’s top billing would mean a home postseason dual Saturday. The Knights infamously won the 2017 1A championship inside the confines of Robbinsville High School; to date, it was the last time the higher seed hosted a state final.
The individual (invitational) showcase begins immediately after the dual season concludes; 27 Knights have laid claim to statewide gold, beginning with Lynn Hooper in 1989.
But with this stint being the fourth go-around Haney has had over the program, the veteran coach knows not to count his chickens before they hatch.
“It’s still just as special to me to win a conference title,” said Haney. “I know we look all the way down state and compare ourselves; it’s still good to take care of home.
“I feel good about where we’re at. We’re talented. If we’ll do what we do ... I won’t say we’ll win it all, but my coach used to tell me that you can’t win them all; but you can at least make them grunt.”
Conference roll
Monday’s road match began at 190 pounds, where Appalachian State-commit Kage Williams recorded career pinfall No. 100 over Lucas Sutton.
Matthew Ferguson (215 pounds) then made things interesting by pinning Kellen Ensley late in the third period, knotting the dual at 6-6.
That was all the fuel Robbinsville needed.
Koleson Dooley (285) and Skyler Anderson (106) were each awarded their weight class via forfeit, before the Knights rattled off a succession of four straight pinfalls: Adair Panama (113) downed Sully Cunningham; Alexis Panama (120) toppled Andrae Aguilera; Loxston Hooper (126) cinched Kale Stephenson; and Ethan Webster (132) quickly defeated Jason Moffat.
With the title clinched, Robbinsville continued to pile on in alternative ways. Avery Phillips (138) shut out James Stroman, 5-0; prior to Lleyton Hooper (144) scoring a point to force overtime and quickly take down Owen Craig for a 3-1 nod. Juan Rios (150) then pinned Tanner Moore, bumping the match score to 54-6.
Swain County finally mustered a pair of replies, when James Arch pinned Luke Green (157) and Clay Seagle (165) beat Kyler Branham. In the dual’s thrilling conclusion, varsity newcomer Christian Koeller (175) prevailed 8-7 over Gavin Teesateskie.
Robbinsville also traveled to Hayesville on Jan. 9 to make-up a postponed match from two weeks prior. It was another resounding win for the Knights, 67-9.
Tuesday resulted in a return trip to Bryson City for the conference invitational tournament. Robbinsville wrapped up the regular season with eight gold medalists: Anderson, Adair and Alexis Panama, Loxston and Lleyton Hooper, Phillips, Rios, Williams and Dooley.
Koeller and Ensley placed second in their respective weight classes, while Green and Branham each brought home a bronze medal. Davis also competed for Robbinsville, but fell in the consolation semifinals.
The Knights’ success easily clinched the tournament’s crown, with Robbinsville posting 239.5 team points. Swain County was second, with 181.5.
Lady Knights
Hayesville – In a year filled with growing pains, the inaugural Robbinsville Lady Knights varsity wrestling team emerged from Jan. 18’s trip to Hayesville with a 21-18 win over the Lady Jackets.
Velvet Carver (107) and Andrea Sheeks (114) had their hands raised via forfeit for Robbinsville (5-7, 3-1), before Amyna Denton pinned Koda Stinson in the 126-pound bout to cut the Knights’ lead in half.
Alexis El-Khouri (138) collected a 10-4 decision against Lilli Denton to get back three points for Robbinsville, but Lakota Shelton pinned Kyla Jenkins (145) to draw the hosts within three.
Campbell Brooks’ forfeit win at 152 pounds gave the Lady Knights all the breathing room needed to claim the dual, even after Katie Miller scored a second-round pinfall over Pacey Bradshaw (165).
All other weight classes summoned to the mat resulted in double forfeits.
Swain County laid claim to the conference-dual title in Monday’s opener, as Robbinsville was unable to get out of first gear in a 66-0 loss to the Lady Devils.
After Savannah Cunningham pinned Carver on Monday, the latter extracted a measure of revenge by emerging on the better end of a 14-13 decision in Tuesday’s 100-pound title bout, becoming the first Lady Knights conference champion in history.
El-Khouri, Jenkins and Brooks took second in their races; Sheeks, Stinson and Bradshaw each placed third.
Swain County coasted to the team invitational title with 207 points; Robbinsville’s 78 claimed second.