NCHSAAWrestling

Lady Knights senior Aynsley Fink didn’t even break a sweat Saturday, as she captured her second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association Women’s Invitational State Championship in Greensboro. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

Lady Knights senior Aynsley Fink didn’t even break a sweat Saturday, as she captured her second straight N.C. High School Athletic Association Women’s Invitational State Championship in Greensboro. Photos by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com

History repeats itself

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Greensboro – Label her as you wish: role model, trendsetter or even unstoppable. Just don't peg her as ungrateful.
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.
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.

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.

Everybody has a price

Kevin Hensley
Saturday, July 10, 2021
Buckle in. This is going to be a bumpy ride. The funk still clings to my clothes. No amount of showers, deodorant or hand sanitizer will ever fully rid the scent of disgust I cannot escape.
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.