BlackKnights

Carlos Wesley (seated, center) signed to wrestle at Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday. Surrounding Wesley are family and friends, including mother Scharlene Hardrick (seated, left) and Vincent Wesley, Bryan Wesley, Jasper Knighton, Staci Knighton, Seth Lawson, Jennifer Wesley, Briley Powers and Steven Hardrick (back row, from left). Photo courtesy of Todd Odom/Contributing Photographer

Carlos Wesley (seated, center) signed to wrestle at Lincoln Memorial University on Sunday. Surrounding Wesley are family and friends, including mother Scharlene Hardrick (seated, left) and Vincent Wesley, Bryan Wesley, Jasper Knighton, Staci Knighton, Seth Lawson, Jennifer Wesley, Briley Powers and Steven Hardrick (back row, from left). Photo courtesy of Todd Odom/Contributing Photographer

No split decision here

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Robbinsville – It was well worth the wait.
Todd Odom (left) – who just retired after coaching the Black Knights for 18 years – pauses with David Haney at a banquet in Asheville. Haney has been named as Odom’s successor, which will be the fourth time Haney has been the head coach of the Robbinsville wrestling program.

Todd Odom (left) – who just retired after coaching the Black Knights for 18 years – pauses with David Haney at a banquet in Asheville. Haney has been named as Odom’s successor, which will be the fourth time Haney has been the head coach of the Robbinsville wrestling program.

Back at the helm: Haney new wrestling coach

Kevin Hensley
Monday, June 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After nearly four months of speculation and uncertainty, Todd Odom’s replacement as Robbinsville High School’s head wrestling coach has been announced. And it is a familiar face. David Haney was selected from a pool of applicants to take over the storied tradition of “The ’Ville.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Lady Knight Anna Williams prepares to drive the ball May 3 against Hiwassee Dam/Ranger. Williams unleashed a 3-run homer Friday, aiding Robbinsville immensely in a 20-6 drubbing of the previously-unbeaten Cherokee Lady Braves. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Middle school Knights pepper Cherokee

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Cherokee – The Braves never knew what hit them. Robbinsville made the trip to Cherokee for a middle school baseball and softball tilt Friday, with both the Black Knights and Lady Knights etching respective 11-8 and 20-6 wins.