Black Knights conquer Smoky Mountain Conference
Cherokee – Just because you have a large quantity of athletes on your roster, it does not always mean you have a large amount of quality to go with it.
But sometimes, the stars align.
Robbinsville Middle School has consistently churned out top performances all season – and with depth in each event, the Black Knights entered Monday’s Smoky Mountain Conference title meet at Cherokee as the favorites to win.
They delivered on the prediction, smoking second-place Swain County by 46 points to rack up 162 and win the first middle school boys track & field championship since 2008.
“This is a special group of athletes that will compete for state championships when they get to high school,” first-year head coach Wren Millsaps said. “With the amount of standouts this season, I would be remiss to mention any individual.
“However, the people of Robbinsville need to know that our boys are bringing a show to watch next spring and I hope more people get on-board with this group of young men. With the runners, jumpers and throwers that make up the group, the sky is the limit.”
The Black Knights certainly put their money where their mouth is. Colton McCoy prevailed in the 200-meter (23.59 seconds) dash, as well as the long (18’ 1 ½”) and triple (37’ 3 ¼”) jumps. He was second in the pack to Cameron Allison in the 100-meter (11.82).
Allison’s time in the 100 was 11.62; he also placed second in both the 200- (24.51) and 400-meter (57.45) competitions. Xamuel Wachacha was the 1,600-meter (4:53.34) champion, while also claiming second in the 800 (2:13.49). Eli Lambert also won the 110-meter hurdles (18.61) and was fifth in the 100 dash (12.48); and Robbinsville staked its claim atop the 4x100 (49.51) and 4x200 (1:46.79) relays.
Others to contribute to the team score were Braydon Lane (second in shot put, 38’ 4” and sixth in high jump, 4’ 10”); Ben Koeller (third place in 800-meter, 2:20.18); Austin Angelo (third in 110 hurdles, 19.94); the 4x800 relay team (third place, 10:26.27); Elijah Kirkland (fourth in shot put, 36’ 5 ½”; eighth in 400-meter dash, 1:00.73); Mason Silvers (fifth in 200 dash, 27.26); and the 4x400 relay (fifth, 4:21.96).
Lady Knights
Behind a 4-win afternoon from Chloe Adams, Robbinsville Middle School’s girls placed fifth in the team chase, recording 76 ½ points.
Adams won both the 100-meter (13.04) and 200-meter (27.00) dashes; while also leaping to the front of the line in the long (16’ 3”) and triple (31’ 8 ¼”) jumps. Cassidy Sudderth finished hot on Adams’ heels in the 100, turning in a time of 13.52.
Robbinsville posted team points in each of the relays, as well: taking fourth in the 4x200 (2:08.49); fifth in both the 4x100 (1:00.36) and 4x800 (13:34.63); and sixth in the 4x400 (5:30.54).
Other individual finishers who aided the team tally were Briley Powers (fifth in 100-meter hurdles, 20.62); Alexis Miller (sixth in high jump, 4’ 2”); Aaliyah Wolfe (sixth in 100 hurdles, 20.70); Emory Chekeleelee (seventh in high jump, 4’); and Kyla Garland (eighth in long jump, 11’ 10 ¼”).
“Our girls would compete for the conference championship if they had the numbers participating that other schools have,” said Millsaps. “Chloe was phenomenal, winning all four of her events and winning every event she participated in this season.
“When Stuart Nelms asked me to coach this season, I knew there was so much that I needed to learn. What I didn’t know was how easy the kids would make coaching. Both the girls and boys teams rose to the occasion at each meet. Also, the help I received from the varsity staff and my assistant (coach) Kensley Phillips helped make these kids better every day.”