Sports

The 2021-22 Robbinsville High School wrestling coach staff was recently named the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Boys Assistant Staff of the Year for North Carolina. From left are Colby White, D.J. Robinson, Weston Haney, Josh Winfrey, head coach Todd Odom, James Keifer, Travis Hooper, Billy Knight, Irvin Portugal, Wren Millsaps and Josiah Phillips. Not pictured are Jason Tom Sawyer, Brandon Lee and Carter Williamson. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

The 2021-22 Robbinsville High School wrestling coach staff was recently named the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Boys Assistant Staff of the Year for North Carolina. From left are Colby White, D.J. Robinson, Weston Haney, Josh Winfrey, head coach Todd Odom, James Keifer, Travis Hooper, Billy Knight, Irvin Portugal, Wren Millsaps and Josiah Phillips. Not pictured are Jason Tom Sawyer, Brandon Lee and Carter Williamson. Photo courtesy of Maria Shook Photography

The Dirty (Baker’s) Dozen

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Manheim, Pa. – It’s hard to argue the logic. The Robbinsville Black Knights’ coaching staff has been named the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Boys Assistant Staff of the Year for North Carolina.
Graham County Search and Rescue Coordinator Tory Lynnes stands at the fork between Joyce Kilmer Loop Trail (left) and Naked Ground Trail (right). Naked Ground Trail is a difficult trail that does not loop. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest day hikers sometimes get confused, take the right fork and sometimes have to be rescued. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Graham County Search and Rescue Coordinator Tory Lynnes stands at the fork between Joyce Kilmer Loop Trail (left) and Naked Ground Trail (right). Naked Ground Trail is a difficult trail that does not loop. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest day hikers sometimes get confused, take the right fork and sometimes have to be rescued. Photos by Randy Foster/news@grahamstar.com

Officials concerned about rescues on local trail

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Search and rescue officials are alarmed at the high number of people needing to be rescued after straying off course at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. One trail in particular, the Naked Ground Trail, accounts for more rescues than all other Graham County trails.
Robbinsville Middle School’s Daphne Barlow (second from right) is mobbed by teammates Kynadee Spencer, Khaygen Buchanan and Dreylee Webster (from left) after her walk-off hit May 11 against Cherokee, which lifted Robbinsville to a 2-1 victory in the season finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville Middle School’s Daphne Barlow (second from right) is mobbed by teammates Kynadee Spencer, Khaygen Buchanan and Dreylee Webster (from left) after her walk-off hit May 11 against Cherokee, which lifted Robbinsville to a 2-1 victory in the season finale. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Future stars shine bright

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Robbinsville – After the first inning of the May 11 season finale, the middle school Lady Knights and Cherokee were tied 1-1. By the bottom of the seventh, the game was stuck in the same deadlock.
On this attempt, Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump, setting a new standard of 39 feet, 9 ¼ inches at Saturday’s championship meet in Greensboro. It was her second state championship of the day. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

On this attempt, Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump, setting a new standard of 39 feet, 9 ¼ inches at Saturday’s championship meet in Greensboro. It was her second state championship of the day. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

2 competitors; 4 titles

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Greensboro – One successfully defended his crown, while another fully redeemed a pair of second-place finishes from 2021. Black Knights junior Brock Adams and Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler dominated their individual events at the N.C.
Robbinsville sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump Saturday, capturing her second state championship of the afternoon in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville sophomore Zoie Shuler broke the 1A state record in the triple jump Saturday, capturing her second state championship of the afternoon in the process. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

2 competitors, 4 titles

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Greensboro – One successfully defended his crown, while another fully redeemed a pair of second-place finishes from 2021. Black Knights junior Brock Adams and Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler dominated their individual events at Saturday's N.C.
Brock Adams outpaced the competition in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Track Meet in Connelly Springs, clinching the championship in both events. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams outpaced the competition in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles at Saturday’s 1A Western Regional Track Meet in Connelly Springs, clinching the championship in both events. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Next stop: State

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Connelly Springs – Another meet, another strong showing for Robbinsville. What is becoming an industry standard panned out again at the 1A Western Regional Championship on Saturday, which was held at East Burke High School.
Senior Brook Turpin (left) beats out a play at first during Tuesday’s loss to South Stokes. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Senior Brook Turpin (left) beats out a play at first during Tuesday’s loss to South Stokes. Photo courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Lady Knights eliminated in 3rd round

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights entered Tuesday’s third-round playoff match-up against South Stokes with one thing in mind: revenge.
Black Knights senior Zane Lucksavage (seated, right) signed to wrestle for Colby Community College on May 3. Sitting with Lucksavage are father Phil (left) and mother Janelle. Standing in back is recently-retired Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Black Knights senior Zane Lucksavage (seated, right) signed to wrestle for Colby Community College on May 3. Sitting with Lucksavage are father Phil (left) and mother Janelle. Standing in back is recently-retired Robbinsville head coach Todd Odom. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Full circle

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – After a well-traveled life, Zane Lucksavage finally has some stability to look forward to. The Black Knights senior inked a commitment to wrestle for Colby Community College (Kan.
Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Lady Knights senior Yeika Jimenez (seated, center) signed to play college basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan on May 5. Sitting with Jimenez is Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs head coach Jeff Rice (left) and Robbinsville Lady Knights head coach Lucas Ford. Standing in back (from left) are brother Carson Lovin, sister Cambrie Lovin, legal guardians Brandon and Haley Lovin, and brother Luke Lovin.

Biting into collegiate competition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – The Lady Knights’ prolific power forward will carry her talents to the next level. Yeika Jimenez officially committed to play college basketball for the Tennessee Wesleyan Lady Bulldogs – an Athens, Tenn.
Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Prior to May 5’s season finale against Hiwassee Dam, the Robbinsville Black Knights recognized their three baseball seniors: Cole Patterson, Carson White and Kade Garrison (from left). Photo courtesy of Haylee Crisp/Robbinsville High School

Knights miss playoff cut

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Robbinsville – A late hiccup cost the Black Knights a playoff berth.