Robbinsville

Aynsley Fink shows off a battle wound Saturday, moments after capturing the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 106-pound championship at the Women’s Invitational in Kernersville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Aynsley Fink shows off a battle wound Saturday, moments after capturing the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 106-pound championship at the Women’s Invitational in Kernersville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blood Sport

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Kernersville – Nobody stood a chance. Aynsley Fink mowed down three competitors Saturday at the N.C. High School Athletic Association Women’s Invitational, capturing the 106-pound state title with three decisive pinfall victories.
Aynsley Fink was all smiles June 10, moments after being named the Most Valuable Wrestler of the 2020-21 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament. Fink became the first female to win a Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Aynsley Fink was all smiles June 10, moments after being named the Most Valuable Wrestler of the 2020-21 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament. Fink became the first female to win a Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

History in the making

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Robbinsville – It seems that every time Aynsley Fink steps on the mat, another chapter is added to the annals of North Carolina High School women’s wrestling history.
The Robbinsville Black Knights won nine of the 14 weight classes contested in June 10’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. All names are listed from left. Kneeling in front are Jaret Panama (152 pounds), Luke Wilson (113), Aynsley Fink (106) and Jayden Nowell (126). Standing in back are Kage Williams, Wade Hamilton, Ben Wachacha, Kyle Fink and Carlos Wesley. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

The Robbinsville Black Knights won nine of the 14 weight classes contested in June 10’s Smoky Mountain Conference tournament. All names are listed from left. Kneeling in front are Jaret Panama (152 pounds), Luke Wilson (113), Aynsley Fink (106) and Jayden Nowell (126). Standing in back are Kage Williams, Wade Hamilton, Ben Wachacha, Kyle Fink and Carlos Wesley. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

14 divisions, 9 champions

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Robbinsville – Another year, another thumping. For the fifth consecutive season, the Robbinsville Black Knights have laid claim to the Smoky Mountain Conference championship, after running up a team score of 230.5 points at June 10’s tournament.
One family, two awards, 30 years apart: Zoie Shuler (left) was named the Most Outstanding Female Track and Field Athlete of the Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet June 9. Her father Michael received the distinction of Most Outstanding Male Field Athlete in both 1991 and 1992. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One family, two awards, 30 years apart: Zoie Shuler (left) was named the Most Outstanding Female Track and Field Athlete of the Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet June 9. Her father Michael received the distinction of Most Outstanding Male Field Athlete in both 1991 and 1992. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Family tradition

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Cherokee – The sudden emergence of a Robbinsville freshman over the last month has shaken up the hopes of many girls track and field athletes who were hoping for a state championship bid. And the success is coming exactly 30 years after her father made waves of his own.

Elizabeth Carver

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Elizabeth Phillips Crisp, 99 of Robbinsville, N.C. passed away, Friday, June 11, 2021, at her residence. She was a native of Graham County and the daughter of the late Burt and Hattie Hill Phillips.

Kristy Carver

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Kristy Carver, 47 of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away, Friday, June 11, 2021, at her residence. She was a native of Graham County and the daughter of Bobby and Kathy Jenkins Carver.

Peggy Teesateskie

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Peggy Lee Teesateskie, 72 of Robbinsville, N.C., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, N.C., after an extended illness.  She is the daughter of the late Lee Teesateskie and Caroline Wachacha Teesateskie.

Steve Patterson

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Ronald Stephen Patterson, 70 of Miramar, Fla., formerly of Hayesville and Robbinsville, N.C., went home to be with his Lord and Savior at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. on June 10, 2021.  He was the son of the late Ed Jr. and Ruby Woodard Patterson.

Dale Medlin

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Dale Crawford Medlin, 71, changed his address from West Fort Hill Road in Robbinsville to the Golden Streets of Heaven on Monday, June 7, 2021, at the Charles George VA Hospital in Asheville.   He was born on July 26, 1949 to Clercy Elizabeth Hubbard Medlin and John Andy Medlin.

Madeline Garner

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Madeline Postell Garner passed on Wednesday, May 9, 2021.  She was born on Aug. 12, 1928 in Robbinsville, N.C., to Abe L. Postell and Julie Jordan Postell.