BlackKnights

The 2023 Robbinsville High School cross-country team is comprised of (front row, from left): Skyler Oliver, Abby Wehr, Cassidy Kirkland, Kamree Oliver, Matilda Wehr and Oliver Wehr; (back row, from left): assistant coach  Jessica Wehr, Zeb Stewart, Bruce Helms, Colt Colvin, assistant coach Sunny Pringle and head coach Emily Wehr. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The 2023 Robbinsville High School cross-country team is comprised of (front row, from left): Skyler Oliver, Abby Wehr, Cassidy Kirkland, Kamree Oliver, Matilda Wehr and Oliver Wehr; (back row, from left): assistant coach Jessica Wehr, Zeb Stewart, Bruce Helms, Colt Colvin, assistant coach Sunny Pringle and head coach Emily Wehr. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights set new pace with new coaches

* Robbinsville cross country season preview Robbinsville – Numbers may be low, but the Black Knights are used to defying expectations. A new variable in the equation looks to make success this year more seamless.

Last-second heroics stun Cougars

Robbinsville – In the first game contested with new seating hovering above the home sideline, the junior varsity Black Knights showed why a venture to their Thursday-night outings can prove to be just as thrilling as the rush felt on Fridays.
Robbinsville coaches Randy Moody, Lucas Ford and Dee Walsh (clockwise, from left) all commend senior Chase Calhoun (2) after his pivotal fourth-down tackle Friday against East Surry, which solidified a crucial goal-line stand for the Black Knights in the season-opening victory. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Robbinsville coaches Randy Moody, Lucas Ford and Dee Walsh (clockwise, from left) all commend senior Chase Calhoun (2) after his pivotal fourth-down tackle Friday against East Surry, which solidified a crucial goal-line stand for the Black Knights in the season-opening victory. Photo by Danielle Crabtree/The Graham Star

Doubters silenced

Robbinsville – It did not take long for the Knights to become accustomed to the unique atmosphere under the Big Oaks this year. Cuttler Adams trampled his way to three rushing touchdowns, while tacking on a 73-yard scoring reception and an interception to aid the cause.
Tanner Hedden (10) weaves through traffic during Friday’s season opener against East Surry. Photo courtesy of Danielle Crabtree

Tanner Hedden (10) weaves through traffic during Friday’s season opener against East Surry. Photo courtesy of Danielle Crabtree

Black Knights pour on in season opener

Robbinsville — It did not take long for the Knights to become accustomed to the unique atmosphere under the Big Oaks this year. Cuttler Adams trampled his way to three rushing touchdowns, while tacking on a 73-yard scoring reception and an interception to aid the cause.
Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, Graham County Project Manager Jason Marino and Brandon Lovin of Lovin Contracting (from left) discuss fencing options while standing above a newly-placed retaining wall at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson, Graham County Project Manager Jason Marino and Brandon Lovin of Lovin Contracting (from left) discuss fencing options while standing above a newly-placed retaining wall at Modeal Walsh Memorial (Big Oaks) Stadium on Monday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Too near home to turn back now

Robbinsville – As officials, administrators and contractors alike stood over the two new retaining walls that have been erected to support new seating at Big Oaks Stadium on Monday, a certain air of confidence lingered in the strategy session.
Led by the assurance of fellow classmate Kage Williams (33), Cuttler Adams takes off in the open during the first round of the state playoffs Nov. 3 against Cherryville. Adams has barely pumped the brakes this summer – and the fruits of his labor are already showing. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Led by the assurance of fellow classmate Kage Williams (33), Cuttler Adams takes off in the open during the first round of the state playoffs Nov. 3 against Cherryville. Adams has barely pumped the brakes this summer – and the fruits of his labor are already showing. Photos courtesy of Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Cut to the chase

Robbinsville – For now, Cuttler Adams is back within the friendly borders of home. For now.
The demolition and renovation of the home bleachers at Big Oaks Stadium is still on track to be completed in time for the upcoming football season. As seen in this Monday photo, a front-retaining wall has been poured and finished; the rear wall was set to begin pouring this week. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The demolition and renovation of the home bleachers at Big Oaks Stadium is still on track to be completed in time for the upcoming football season. As seen in this Monday photo, a front-retaining wall has been poured and finished; the rear wall was set to begin pouring this week. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Right on schedule

Robbinsville – For a project that has such a narrow window to be completed, everything thus far has been executed like a strategic Black Knights gameplan: to a “T.
The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The measure to demolish perilous seating on the home side of Big Oaks Stadium was approved around 11:30 a.m. June 29. Two hours later, work commenced. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Beat the clock

Robbinsville – Friday Night Lights might get to create a familiar glow in Robbinsville after all.
Rising Black Knights senior Kage Williams proudly displays the North Carolina state flag while standing atop the podium at the USA Wrestling Southeast Regionals in Cherokee on May 28. Williams went 5-0 in his 195-pound bracket to win Robbinsville’s inaugural Southeastern title. Photo courtesy of Peak Wrestling

Rising Black Knights senior Kage Williams proudly displays the North Carolina state flag while standing atop the podium at the USA Wrestling Southeast Regionals in Cherokee on May 28. Williams went 5-0 in his 195-pound bracket to win Robbinsville’s inaugural Southeastern title. Photo courtesy of Peak Wrestling

Knights stayin’ polished

Cherokee – Practice makes perfect. Repetition is key. You have to go the extra mile. Whatever tagline you want to associate with student-athletes who spend the offseason from their respective sports by competing anytime, anywhere they can, it is a mentality that has stood the test of time.