Robbinsville wrestling hits the ground running
The Black Knights have dove right into the deep end of the talent pool during their first official week of matches this year.
Hosting a tri-match with Franklin and McDowell on Nov. 12, Robbinsville knocked off the Panthers 54-24 and the Titans 46-21. The Knights then ventured to the Dekota Smith Invitational at South Caldwell High School, finishing second in the team race.
Landen Mantz (113 pounds) started the dual against McDowell by pinning Matthew Deaton. Skyler Anderson (120) and Ayden Conley (126) earned forfeit nods, before Adair Panama (132) scored a 21-6 technical fall over Cadence Anderson.
The wins continued with Ethan Webster (138) pinning Antonio Molina in short order. Loxston Hooper (144) toppled Rylan Patterson 13-6, while Bobby Moore (150) ran up a 16-3 majority decision against Bryson Page. Lleyton Hooper (157) followed by defeating Jeremy Berry in another technical, 19-1.
Ahead 41-0, the Titans finally found success when Draco Ellmaker (165) prevailed 7-1 over Devin Hall. Jeremiah Phillips (175) got the points right back for Robbinsville, though by downing Tyler Smith in a 17-2 technical. From there, McDowell’s Jayden Jones (190), Hayden Haynes (215) and Edward Cervantes (285) each won via forfeit; the dual ended with a double forfeit at 106 pounds.
Mantz and Anderson received forfeit victories to begin the nightcap with Franklin, while Panama (126) pinned Branch Browning. Conley (132) followed with a pin over Conner Pittman, before Webster and Loxston Hooper each won via forfeit. Zander Davis (150) pinned Tucker Mchan, while Lleyton Hooper was afforded a forfeit.
The Panthers cracked the scoreboard when Preston Douglas (165) pinned Hall, but Phillips undid the damage by pinning Daniel Riddle. Robbinsville (2-0) once again conceded the final three weight classes to Mateo Hernandez (190), Ivan Martinez (215) and Devlin Bailey (285); the 106 double forfeit closed out the match.
At the invitational, Robbinsville finished just 5 1/2 points shy of victory. South Caldwell High School won the event 150.5-145.
Anderson (113) won his weight class, while Mantz (106), Panama (120) and Lleyton Hooper (150) each placed second. Webster (126), Loxston Hooper (132), Moore (144), Hall (157) and Phillips (165) all claimed third in their division. Jayce Grooms (175) also competed for Robbinsville.
Lady Knights
In just its second year of existence, Robbinsville’s girls team has made great strides – despite some tough competition.
Trips to Western Carolina University on Nov. 12 and Swain County on Saturday have given the Lady Knights a plethora of valuable mat time, with the team also competing in a dual and an invitational during its first week of the year.
A quad match at Western Carolina resulted in Robbinsville falling 47-18 to North Henderson; 37-36 to Smoky Mountain; and 54-18 against Swain County.
Latesha Orr (100), Alyssa Bohn (165) and Cecelia Maney (185) each received forfeit wins against North Henderson. The Smoky Mountain dual saw Julia Vazquez (114), Alexis Miller (120), Alexis El-Khouri (138), Jacquline Gayosso (145), Cheyanne Geyer (152) and Orr all winning via forfeit.
The Lady Mustangs only won via head-to-head tiebreaker.
Bohn pinned Swain’s Aracely Lara in the finale, with Vazquez and Orr each prevailing in a pair of forfeits.
The #CarrieOn Invitational in Bryson City ended with Robbinsville fourth overall in the 13-team field, scoring 56.5 points. North Henderson won the event with 181.
Orr took third in the 107-pound class, even knocking off teammate Izabel Haney along the way. El-Khouri finished third in the 138-pound chase. Miller (114) placed fourth, which included another intersquad clash that saw Miller pin Vazquez. Bohn also seized fourth.
Others competing for the Knights were Velvet Carver (114), Gayosso, Geyer, Bella Eddings (152), Maney and Aubree Marcus (235).