BlackKnights

Rossi Wachacha (seated, center) signed his letter of intent to play college football at Lenoir-Rhyne University on June 30. Front row (from left) are father Jeremy Wachacha, Rossi, brother Jace Smith, mother Melissa Smith and sister Jaxtyn Bark. Standing in back (from left) are Rossi' girlfriend Tishara Sneed, friend Court Carpenter, aunt Jennifer Wachacha, cousin Cannon Gross, aunt Paige Gross, grandfather Wayne Wachacha and cousin Dasan Gross. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Wachacha signs with Lenoir-Rhyne

Kevin Hensley

Saturday, July 10, 2021

Robbinsville – It was quite fitting that Rossi Wachacha signed to play college football on the same field where he made a name for himself.

Brock Adams (right) bested North Rowan’s Tsion Delaney by 0.10 seconds to win the 110-meter hurdles state championship Friday at N.C. A&T University in Greensboro. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Clearing the hurdle

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Greensboro – It took just 16.35 seconds for Brock Adams to etch his name into the record books. At Friday’s 1A state track meet, Adams crossed the finish line of the boys 110-meter hurdles in first place, edging out North Rowan’s Tsion Delaney by just .10 of a second.

The Robbinsville Black Knights crowned five state champions at Saturday’s 1A Men’s Invitational in Asheboro. From left are Luke Wilson (106 pounds), Kage Williams (182), Kyle Fink (195), Jayden Nowell (126) and Ben Wachacha (220). Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Presenting the Fantastic Five

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Asheboro – It was a night to remember. Seven Robbinsville wrestlers made the 264-mile trek to Uwharrie Charter Academy in Asheboro on Saturday – a last-minute host for the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 1A Men’s Invitational.

The Robbinsville track program qualified 10 athletes for Friday's 1A state track meet. Kneeling in front are Hayden Stewart (left) and Cutler Adams. Standing in back are Zoie Shuler, Keylie Jordan, Lina Pagan, Haize Moore, Kensley Phillips and Caylin Lunsford. Not pictured are Brock Adams and Delaney Brooms. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

And then, there were 10

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, June 24, 2021

* State track meet preview Cherokee – When the 1A state track meet takes place Friday at N.C. A&T in Greensboro, Robbinsville will be scattered across several events.

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

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.

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather for a celebratory photo after winning the June 10 regular-season finale in Hayesville 12-6. The win ended the Yellow Jackets’ undefeated season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Giant slayers

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Hayesville – Full of emotion, Robbinsville senior Jeb Shuler made an astute observation after the June 10 upset over the then-No. 1 ranked 1A team in North Carolina. “They didn’t really have anything to play for. We did.” He hit the nail on the head.

Kyle Fink has North Henderson’s Felix Montiel in a compromising position during the 195-pound bout of June 3’s “Battle of the Knights.” Fink would pin Montiel in the second period. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

“The Ville” set to host conference tournament

Kevin Hensley

Friday, June 11, 2021

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.

Cole Patterson makes sure that Cavan Reed’s clever attempt to avoid the tag is unsuccessful, during Tuesday’s home, regular-season finale against Cherokee. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Have bats, will score

Kevin Hensley

Friday, June 11, 2021

Robbinsville – In a miraculous transformation, the Knights came out of a 20-minute rain delay Tuesday to score eight runs. Robbinsville (6-7, 6-7) trailed Cherokee 2-1 in the bottom of the second, when a weather delay halted the game.

Jayden Nowell maintains top control over West Henderson’s Cody Eplee during Saturday’s home dual with the Falcons. Nowell would go on to cinch career win No. 101 in the bout. Photos by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Hard-earned reward

Kevin Hensley

Friday, June 11, 2021

Robbinsville – Henry Portela is a name that Robbinsville’s Jayden Nowell will never forget.