SMCWrestling

Robbinsville’s Logan Hyde has Murphy’s Sam Kessler hooked for a near-fall during Monday’s dual with the Bulldogs. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Robbinsville’s Logan Hyde has Murphy’s Sam Kessler hooked for a near-fall during Monday’s dual with the Bulldogs. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

2 duals, 2 wins

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Robbinsville – Even when faced with an early adversity, the Knights refuse to stay down for the count. In its toughest dual of the season, Robbinsville (4-0) welcomed the Enka Jets on Saturday, and though the Knights triumphed 53-19, things did not look promising in the beginning.
Sophomore Kage Williams (195) scoops Mitchell’s Noah Maltba during Nov. 17’s home dual. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Sophomore Kage Williams (195) scoops Mitchell’s Noah Maltba during Nov. 17’s home dual. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Black Knights topple Rams

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Robbinsville – Just before turkey day, the Black Knights stayed busy. Robbinsville (2-0) hosted the T.C. Roberson Rams for a Nov. 23 dual before loading up and traveling to Enka on Nov. 24 for the Jet Invitational.

Stacking the deck

Kevin Hensley
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
* Robbinsville wrestling season preview Robbinsville – Anyone wishing to embark in a match against the Black Knights would be wise to pack a lunch ahead of time.
Two-time defending 195-pound 1A state champion Kyle Fink prepares for a takedown during Saturday’s inaugural “Nothing but Neutral” tournament at Robbinsville High School. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Two-time defending 195-pound 1A state champion Kyle Fink prepares for a takedown during Saturday’s inaugural “Nothing but Neutral” tournament at Robbinsville High School. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Neutral ground

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – An event that attracted 100 grapplers from around the tri-state area is already being heralded as a success.
For the first time in North Carolina history, a pair of siblings have won an individual state championship in both the same sport and the same calendar year. Robbinsville’s Aynsley and Kyle Fink reached the pinnacle in wrestling this season. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

For the first time in North Carolina history, a pair of siblings have won an individual state championship in both the same sport and the same calendar year. Robbinsville’s Aynsley and Kyle Fink reached the pinnacle in wrestling this season. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Wonder twin powers, activate

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Robbinsville – Leave it to “The ‘Ville” to be trendsetters yet again. For the first time in North Carolina history, a pair of siblings have won individual, high-school state titles in not only the same sport, but the same season.
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

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.
Aynsley Fink shows off a battle wound Saturday, moments after capturing the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 106-pound championship at the Women’s Invitational in Kernersville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Aynsley Fink shows off a battle wound Saturday, moments after capturing the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s 106-pound championship at the Women’s Invitational in Kernersville. Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Blood Sport

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Kernersville – Nobody stood a chance. Aynsley Fink mowed down three competitors Saturday at the N.C. High School Athletic Association Women’s Invitational, capturing the 106-pound state title with three decisive pinfall victories.
Aynsley Fink was all smiles June 10, moments after being named the Most Valuable Wrestler of the 2020-21 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament. Fink became the first female to win a Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

Aynsley Fink was all smiles June 10, moments after being named the Most Valuable Wrestler of the 2020-21 Smoky Mountain Conference Tournament. Fink became the first female to win a Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championship. Photo by Art Miller/amiller@grahamstar.com

History in the making

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Robbinsville – It seems that every time Aynsley Fink steps on the mat, another chapter is added to the annals of North Carolina High School women’s wrestling history.
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

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.
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

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.