Bryson City – Entering the Christmas break, Robbinsville wrestling has already worked its way through 19 duals.
The Knights’ latest foray was as a participant in the 16-team Devil Duals, an all-day showcase held at Swain County High School on Dec. 22. Seeded in the ‘B’ pool – along with Fannin County, Ga., Franklin, Hayesville and T.C. Roberson – Robbinsville (16-3) went 4-1 on the day, with its only loss coming in the second round to Fannin County. The Rebels prevailed 45-30 in the match.
Elsewhere in the tournament, the Black Knights toppled Franklin, 78-6; Hayesville, 81-0; and T.C. Roberson, 53-23.
In the end, a tiebreaker pushed Robbinsville ahead of the hosting Maroon Devils, 35-34.
To attain the distinction of “silver” against Swain County, Adair Panama (106 pounds), Alexis Panama (113), Avery Phillips (126) and Kage Williams (182) all triumphed via pinfall; and Willie Riddle (145), Jeremiah Phillips (160) and Turner Jackson (170) each downed their opponents via decision. Riddle’s win was a 12-1, majority decision.
Adair Panama, Alexis Panama, Avery Phillips, Lleyton Hooper, Juan Rios, Willie Riddle, Kyler Branham and Kellen Ensley (285) all prevailed via forfeit against Franklin. Contested bouts featured Loxston Hooper (120), Jeremiah Phillips (160), Jackson (170), Williams (195) and Dooley (220) each pinning their opponents.
Against T.C. Roberson, Loxston Hooper, Avery Phillips and Alexis Panama each won via forfeit. Riddle, Jackson, Branham, Williams and Dooley all prevailed by pinning their opponents, while Adair Panama dominated in a 15-0 technical fall against Geoffrey Meredith.
The Yellow Jackets also had very few competitors on their roster, so Adair Panama, Alexis Panama, Avery Phillips, Loxston Hooper, Jesse Williams (138), Rios, Jackson, Williams and Ensley collected 54 team points alone on forfeits.
Also contributing to the shutout was a 26-second pin for Ethan Webster, against Jameson Dawson; Riddle bumping up to 152 pounds and cinching Gage Michael for a first-round pin; Jeremiah Phillips knocking off Caden Gordon, in a third-period pin; Ryleon Waldroup (170) prevailing 12-8 against Andrew Reynolds; and Dooley pinning Rayland Martinez, with just two seconds left in the opening segment.
Sting delivered
Robbinsville – Less than two days before the Devil Duals, the Black Knights hosted a match against Hayesville.
The outcome was only one point different: Robbinsville trumped the Jackets, 82-0.
Adair Panama, Skyler Anderson (113), Nick Anderson (145), Branham, Williams and Ensley were each deemed winners by forfeit. Bouts included Alexis Panama (120) pinning Amyna Denton; Ethan Webster (126) scoring the same outcome against Julie Wolf; Lleyton Hooper toppling Riley Denton; Bobby Moore (138) pinning Lilli Denton; Riddle pinning Michael; Jeremiah Phillips taking care of Gordon; Jackson disposing of Seth McCaslin, via 15-2 majority decision; and Blevins scoring a first-period pin over Martinez.