Robbinsville senior, two-time state champ ready for collegiate wrestling
Robbinsville – A two-time state champion has decided to take the next huge step in life.
Black Knights senior Ben Wachacha was surrounded by the biggest supporters in his life Friday at the Robbinsville High School wrestling facility, as he signed to wrestle for the University of Mount Olive Trojans, an NCAA Division II team that competes in the Conference Carolinas.
Wachacha is the first Robbinsville grappler to take his talents to the next level since Kade Millsaps, a 2019 graduate who is currently competing for Lincoln Memorial University.
“A little scary, a little excited, a little nervous,” the reigning 1A, 220-pound state champion said while gauging his emotions. “But going to college and meeting new people will be very exciting.”
Known affectionally to his teammates as “Big Ben,” Wachacha fielded interest from several schools – including in-state Montreat College and Lenoir-Rhyne University, as well as Lincoln Memorial, Ferrum College (Va.) and programs in Ohio and Indiana – but the persistence of the Trojan coaching staff helped solidify his choice.
“UMO felt like the best pick, mostly – and not anything against any of the other coaches that I talked to – but the UMO assistant coach called me every 3-4 times a week,” Wachacha noted.
Wachacha won it all in 2021 and 2022 for Robbinsville, finishing his Black Knights career with a record of 40-6.
Though he also made an impact on the gridiron, Wachacha opted to channel his focus toward the mat.
“I never felt like I was as good at football as I was at wrestling,” Wachacha said.
“I felt like I had a better career in my future with wrestling.”
Wachacha plans to pursue a degree in either business administration or accounting.