SMCWrestling

Robbinsville’s Murphy Shanahan wrangles his opponent to the mat during Monday’s first-round postseason dual against Langtree Charter Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville’s Murphy Shanahan wrangles his opponent to the mat during Monday’s first-round postseason dual against Langtree Charter Academy. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Bet on Black

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Robbinsville – In swift fashion, the Black Knights proved why they are the No. 1-ranked team in class 1A. Robbinsville (21-1) hosted the first and second rounds of the state dual-team championship Monday, with the Knights taking on Langtree Charter Academy (No. 29 seed) and Rosman (No.
Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Robbinsville's Christian Phillips (right) jockeys for control with Alleghany's Cameron Worrick during Monday's second-round state dual against the Trojans. Photo by Miranda Buchanan/Robbinsville High School Yearbook

Black Knights march toward state crown

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Bryson City – It was not the way things had hoped to go. Robbinsville (No. 1 seed, 22-2) knocked off Smoky Mountain Conference foe Swain County (No. 5 seed, 18-4) in the third round of the N.C.
For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the sixth year in a row, Robbinsville has conquered the Smoky Mountain Conference. The Knights gathered at center mat following the divisional tournament Saturday at Swain County, to relish in the accomplishments. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

One title down, two to go

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 27, 2022
Bryson City – Another day, another dollar. Another dollar, another conference championship for the Robbinsville wrestling program. For the sixth consecutive season, the Knights sit atop the Smoky Mountain Conference, after knocking off Swain County 48-18 to win the regular-season title Jan.
Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville High School wrestling team gather at center mat Saturday to celebrate its 2022 James Orr Invitational victory. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Home cookin’

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Robbinsville – After all its travels, the Robbinsville wrestling team finally had a chance to show off its tournament dominance on its home turf.
Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Prior to Tuesday’s dual against Cherokee, Robbinsville wrestling recognized its nine seniors. All names are listed from left. Kneeling: Ben Wachacha, Carlos Wesley, Zane Lucksavage and Jacob Hall. Standing: Jayden Nowell, Kyle Fink, manager Ivy Odom, Aynsley Fink and Jaret Panama. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

“The ‘Ville” now ranked No. 1

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Robbinsville – This far into the 2021-22 season, one question lingers: is there anyone that can stop Robbinsville? The No. 1-ranked team in 1A started its latest tear with a 70-6 victory in the annual “Battle of the Knights” at North Henderson on Jan. 5.
Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Robbinsville senior Aynsley Fink gets her hand raised Dec. 30, after winning the women’s 106-pound bracket at the annual Holy Angels showcase in Charlotte. Photo by Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Lady Knight wins national tournament

Kevin Hensley
Friday, January 7, 2022
Charlotte – There was an unnecessary delay before the inevitable. Aynsley Fink paced the mat back-and-forth, simply awaiting the cue to jog to the middle of the circle, shake hands with her adversary and begin the finals of the 106-pound women’s bracket at the Holy Angels Invitational.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Devil Duals trophy, after the Knights conquered the field Dec. 22. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Devil Duals trophy, after the Knights conquered the field Dec. 22. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

The ‘Ville: not paid by the hour

Kevin Hensley
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Bryson City – It was just another day at the office for the Black Knights. Robbinsville (10-1) buzzed through Franklin, Madison, Hayesville, Enka and the hosting Swain County Maroon Devils at the annual Devil Duals on Dec. 22, collecting their third trophy in as many weeks.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pose with the 2021 Great Smoky Mountain Grapple tournament championship after Saturday's triumph in Asheville. The Knights have won two tournaments in a row. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe/Contributing Photographer

Peak performance

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Asheville – Whether it be in a dual format or a team tournament, Robbinsville is dangerous. The Knights continued to decorate their 2021-22 season Friday and Saturday, competing in the Great Smoky Mountain Grapple at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center.
Members of the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling program celebrate the Knights’ 2021-22 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship, after the team clinched the crown Dec. 15 at Swain County. Photo courtesy of Crystal Hooper/Contributing Photographer

Members of the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling program celebrate the Knights’ 2021-22 Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship, after the team clinched the crown Dec. 15 at Swain County. Photo courtesy of Crystal Hooper/Contributing Photographer

Kings of the hill

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 23, 2021
Bryson City – It has been a most-interesting season for the Robbinsville Middle School wrestling team.
Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pause after winning the 2021 Falcon Frenzy in Hendersonville. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe

Members of the Robbinsville wrestling program pause after winning the 2021 Falcon Frenzy in Hendersonville. Photo courtesy of Susan Crowe

Knights prevail at Falcon Frenzy

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Hendersonville – It might have taken 17 trips to get it right, but all that matters is that Robbinsville got it right. The Black Knights made their traditional trek to West Henderson on Friday and Saturday for the Falcon Frenzy.