ZoieShuler

Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler were named the respective Male and Female Most Outstanding athletes of the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, which was held May 3 at Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Brock Adams and Zoie Shuler were named the respective Male and Female Most Outstanding athletes of the 2023 Smoky Mountain Conference championship meet, which was held May 3 at Cherokee. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Against the wind

Cherokee – Between just two Robbinsville High athletes, five total Most Outstanding Athlete of the Smoky Mountain Conference Track & Field Championship Meet distinctions exist. There was really no need to have a coaches poll at the conclusion of May 3’s meet: their results spoke for themselves.
Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler leapt to a pair of 1A indoor-track state titles Saturday, collecting gold in both the long and triple jumps. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler leapt to a pair of 1A indoor-track state titles Saturday, collecting gold in both the long and triple jumps. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

By leaps and bounds

Winston-Salem – In the last 15 months, Zoie Shuler has won five individual state championships. Titles eluded her freshman season, but Shuler finally broke through the barrier with an indoor, long-jump crown attained in February 2022 and a pair of outdoor titles (long and triple jump) in May 2022.
The Lady Knights’ collaboration of Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler and Delaney Brooms (from left) broke the 4x400, indoor-track school record Jan. 11 at Swain County, clocking in with a time of 4:34.98. The previous mark was 4:45.20, set by Ashlyn Waldroup, current coach Kaitlyn Carringer, Meghan Myler and Shawnda Martin during the 2015-16 season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The Lady Knights’ collaboration of Katie-Lyn Gross, Kensley Phillips, Zoie Shuler and Delaney Brooms (from left) broke the 4x400, indoor-track school record Jan. 11 at Swain County, clocking in with a time of 4:34.98. The previous mark was 4:45.20, set by Ashlyn Waldroup, current coach Kaitlyn Carringer, Meghan Myler and Shawnda Martin during the 2015-16 season. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

400 meters, 4 segments: 1 record obliterated

I’ve often called the 4x400 relay the “most exciting five minutes in sports.”  Maybe it is because after three-plus hours, the competition draws a track meet to a close. Maybe it is because it comes after the single-longest track event of the day: the 2-mile run.
Offers from two SEC schools speaks volumes about the softball acumen of Robbinsville junior Zoie Shuler. Ultimately, she announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics

Offers from two SEC schools speaks volumes about the softball acumen of Robbinsville junior Zoie Shuler. Ultimately, she announced her commitment to the University of Tennessee on Oct. 26. Photos courtesy of Kate Luffman/University of Tennessee Athletics

Volunteering her services

Robbinsville – In retrospect, the decision was made long ago. As a Graham County native, Zoie Shuler grew up just on the other side of the mountain from Knoxville, so a love for the Tennessee Volunteers almost came as a birthright.
Rising Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler recently finished a 5-week, multi-state trek with her travel softball program, the 16U Carolina Cardinals. Shuler opened a lot of eyes along the way, as she continues to eye taking her talents to the collegiate level.

Rising Lady Knights junior Zoie Shuler recently finished a 5-week, multi-state trek with her travel softball program, the 16U Carolina Cardinals. Shuler opened a lot of eyes along the way, as she continues to eye taking her talents to the collegiate level.

Summer of Zoie

Robbinsville – Most high-school athletes spend the summer enjoying the break from the grind of the often grueling year-round schedule. Zoie Shuler never considered pressing the brake pedal. A rising junior, Shuler has already made waves during her first two years at the varsity level.
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

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

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.
After being denied in the outdoor track finals last spring, Robbinsville Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler finally stood atop the podium Friday, following her 1A/2A long jump state championship victory in Winston-Salem. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

After being denied in the outdoor track finals last spring, Robbinsville Lady Knights sophomore Zoie Shuler finally stood atop the podium Friday, following her 1A/2A long jump state championship victory in Winston-Salem. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

As easy as 1, 2, 3

Winston-Salem – Zoie Shuler leapt into the record books Friday.
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

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.