SMCWrestling

The Robbinsville Black Knights completed their historic 50th anniversary season by capturing the state individual tournament team championship Saturday in Greensboro. It was Robbinsville's second individual team title and the first 1A/2A crown. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Great things often happen in 3s

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Robbinsville Wrestling Head Coach Travis Hooper proudly displays the 1A/2A individual team championship plaque Saturday.

Lleyton Hooper maintains top control on Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy's Malachi Smith during Feb. 10's second-round, dual-team postseason match. Lleyton is 1-of-4 Black Knights that will vie for an individual state championship Saturday in Greensboro. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Knights wrestling competes for individual glory

Kevin Hensley

Friday, February 20, 2026

Robbinsville's Loxston Hooper won his 200th career bout during Tuesday's Western Regional dual-team postseason title match against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy. Loxston will compete for an individual state championship in the 138-pound weight class Saturday.

The Robbinsville Black Knights won the program’s second dual-team state championship Tuesday night, defeating the South Davidson Wildcats 58-24 in the finals. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Knights win 2nd state duals title

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Denton – Both times that Robbinsville has won a state dual-team championship, it has occurred in a high school gym. That's just the way the Black Knights would prefer it, of course: no need for a lot of glitz and glamour. Robbinsville (No.

Brayden Lane manhandles Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy's Achilles Ochoa during the second round of the dual-team postseason Tuesday. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Tarred and feathered

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Robbinsville – It took less than 10 minutes of total bout time for the Black Knights to advance to the third round of the dual-team postseason. Showing that they were not being paid by the hour – or even the half-hour – Robbinsville (No.

The Robbinsville Black Knights gather with the 2025-26 Smoky Mountain Conference Traditional Tournament championship trophy, which they won Jan. 22 at Cherokee. Photo courtesy of Robbinsville Wrestling

Different tournament, same result

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Cherokee – The Black Knights continue to be the standard bearer in Smoky Mountain Conference wrestling. After mowing through the divisional duals, Robbinsville carved up the competition in the conference’s traditional tournament at Cherokee on Jan. 22.

Adair Panama takes down Tuscola's David Levi Wood during the 120-pound finals of Saturday's James Orr Invitational. Photos by Bella Eddings/The Graham Star

Robbinsville wins James Orr Invitational

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 22, 2026

A pair of familiar faces stood tall at the conclusion of Saturday's James Orr Invitational.

The Robbinsville Black Knights went 5-0 at Saturday's Smoky Mountain Conference Duals Tournament to capture the divisional championship. Photo by Cannon Crompton/Cherokee Scout

Black Knights capture duals championship

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Senior Adair Panama secured his 200th career victory during Saturday’s conference duals.

Knights carve through slate

Kevin Hensley

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

While other programs enjoyed the Christmas break, Robbinsville wrestling continued to celebrate its 50th anniversary by doing what it does best: hitting the road for quality competition. Between a quad match at Tuscola on Dec.

Hooper, Panama win Grapple

Kevin Hensley

Friday, December 26, 2025

Facing schools from across the Southeast, two Robbinsville wrestlers proved they were in a class of their own. The Great Smoky Mountain Grapple is an annual, two-day attraction at Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville.

Robbinsville boys win Osley B. Saunooke Tournament

Kevin Hensley

Thursday, December 11, 2025

A lot of grit led up to Robbinsville picking up its first tournament victory of the season Saturday. Boosted by five, first-place finishers, the Black Knights tallied 190 team points to clinch the Osley B. Saunooke Tournament championship at Cherokee High School.