Robbinsville flattens Hayesville, West Henderson, Murphy
Robbinsville – The "Battle of the Knights" went to the visitors.
Unfortunately, Robbinsville was the host.
The Black Knights (16-4) dropped their only match of the week June 3, a 39-28 dual to North Henderson. The contest came just minutes after Robbinsville shirked Hayesville in a Smoky Mountain Conference match-up, 63-12.
Kyle Fink (195) got Robbinsville off on the right foot against North Henderson, scoring a second-round pin over Felix Montiel. Triston Norris (220) pinned Ben Wachacha to even the slate at 6-6, before Carlos Wesley (285) toppled Reese Meadows via majority decision to push Robbinsville ahead of the 3A school, 10-6.
From there, Aynsley Fink (106) made quick work of Glennin Hansen, but a Lazaro Vasquez (113) triumph over Luke Wilson and Paige Meyers (120) win via forfeit pushed North Henderson ahead 18-16. Jayden Nowell (126) would best Henry Portela for his 100th career victory in a 3-1 decision, but Peyton Fincher (132) got three points right back for North Henderson with a 9-7 win over Case Beasley.
Chase Smith (138) pinned Robbinsville's Rylee Patterson to widen North Henderson's lead to 27-19, before Francisco Rangel-Trejo (145) picked up a forfeit win for the visitors. Jaret Panama (152) and Wade Hamilton (160) then lost a pair of close, respective decision bouts to Trevon Hill and Ulises Vega De La Mora by margins of 7-6 and 6-5 to push North Henderson's advantage to 39-19.
The Black Knights were able to end the battle on a high note, as Jacob Hall (170) scored an 11-6 win over Christian Jovel and Kage Williams (182) pinned Owen Ruiz.
Robbinsville had little trouble with the Jackets in the evening opener June 3. Hayesville only contested five bouts, which resulted in pinfall wins for Nowell, Panama and Hall. Wachacha bested Ethan Taylor 7-3, while Patterson fell via pin to Mason Cook. Zane Lucksavage (145) picked up the lone Jackets forfeit victory.
Otherwise, the Knights racked up team points via forfeit wins for Williams, Kyle Fink, Wesley, Aynsley Fink, Wilson, Beasley and Hamilton. A double-forfeit took care of the 120-pound weight class.
Falcons clipped
Robbinsville – The Knights shook off the loss to North Henderson by hosting West Henderson on Saturday, taking down the Falcons 51-21.
"I feel like we wrestled pretty well today," said Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom. "Aynsley got another big win to get us started. Luke wrestled up again for us; he's done that his while career; he's always been willing to wrestle up a weight class or weigh in heavy, so that we have options.
"The biggest win of the day would have to go to Wade; he's got a knee injury and has elected to finish out the season. It's going to be painful, but he gutted out a tough win. That's what we try to promote. He's been a great kid for us and has been forever; he's one of those that has wrestled for us since he was five. He's been a pleasure to coach."
Aynsley Fink started the dual with a first-round pin over Justin Reyes. Caden Sawyer (113) dropped his bout to Damon Landreth to tie things 6-6, but consecutive pinfall wins from Wilson, Beasley and Nowell opened a 24-6 lead for Robbinsville.
Gaige Watson would pin Patterson to get six for the Falcons, but Willie Riddle's (145) win over Corbin Marks got those points right back for the Black Knights. Connor Chandler (152) won for West Henderson by forfeit, before Hamilton and Hall secured back-to-back, respective 5-3 and 12-7 decision wins for Robbinsville. Hamilton's win came in overtime.
Williams would pin Samuel Musser and though Kyle Fink lost 5-2 against Will Parker, Wachacha picked up a pinfall and Wesley bested Jose Rios 3-1.
Time for a dog nap
Robbinsville – The Knights then wrapped up the regular season against Murphy on Tuesday, picking up a 78-3 win over the Bulldogs.
Hampered by a depleted roster, Murphy only contested three bouts. Beasley would fall to Logan Hyde in a 120-pound bout, 10-5. Nowell pinned Marcus Kephart at 126, with Wachacha disposing of Brad Simmons by the same result.
Aynsley Fink, Wilson, Patterson, Riddle, Panama, Hamilton, Hall, Williams, Kyle Fink and Wesley all won by forfeit.
Tournament time
The Black Knights now has its sights set on the conference tournament, which is being held today at Robbinsville.
"The 'Ville" has laid claim to the last four divisional titles.
"If we wrestle our best, then we'll win the tournament," Odom said. "The conference tournament means a lot to these kids and this program, but it's a means to an end.
“It is a goal, but it's not the goal: the goal is to be in the conversation for a state championship."