Happy Football Friday WNC! Coaches: Remember, please submit your game stats and nominees from tonight’s games for our top performers and athlete of the week polls! Hudl, MaxPreps or handwritten, send them all to sports@citizentimes.com📩

Following a decision by the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board administered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Board of Directors convened in a special meeting on Tuesday morning to consider the matter involving the conclusion of the 2026 8A Men’s Track and Field State Championship. The Appeals Board vacated the disqualification from the 4×400 relay. After review and discussion, the NCHSAA Board of Directors voted to declare Mallard Creek High School and C.E. Jordan High School as co-champions of the 2026 NCHSAA 8A Men’s Track and Field State Championship. The Board also voted to recognize Mallard Creek High School and Hough High School as co-champions in the men’s 4×400-meter relay. The NCHSAA appreciates the work of the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction throughout this process. The Association thanks the student-athletes, coaches, school administrators, officials, and member schools involved, including Mallard Creek High School, for using the appeals process provided under state law and NCHSAA policy. That process is designed to promote fairness by enabling informed review of officiating decisions that result in disqualification or suspension. “We recognize that this situation has been emotional for the student-athletes, coaches, schools, and communities involved,” said NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker. “At the center of this matter are young people who have invested countless hours into their sport and their team. We appreciate the work of the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board and respect the process that led to today’s outcome. We are pleased that this matter has reached a resolution and that the accomplishments of the student-athletes involved can be recognized.” The NCHSAA remains committed to fair competition, sportsmanship, and the educational mission of interscholastic athletics. The Association recognizes the efforts of all those who participated in the review process.

Unselfish joy. Delighting in others’ success. Mudita. That’s Robbinsville softball, and that’s how the Black Knights worked all season to get to this point — their first ever state softball championship. For @asheville: citizen-times.com/story/spor…

FINAL: Robbinsville 8, Bear Grass Charter 3 The Black Knights are state champions for the first time in program history. They drive in runs up and down the lineup, Ella Nelms shuts down the Bears and the 1A state title heads to Robbinsville.

One more in Durham. No. 1 Robbinsville (26-2) can close out the first state title in program history today against No. 1 Bear Grass Charter (24-4) after a 10-0 win in Game 1 of the 1A serie. I’ll have coverage all day for @acthshuddle:

FINAL/5: Robbinsville 10, Bear Grass 0 Robbinsville ends Game 1 early. Anna Williams drives in another run, then Siri Watty dumps a pop fly right for two RBIs, walking it off. Game 2 is 11 a.m. tomorrow.

Back for another day at Duke. The 1A state softball championship begins today, as No. 1 Robbinsville (25-2) looks for its first state title against East No. 1 Bear Grass Charter (24-3). Updates @acthshuddle:

Enka softball is the 5A state champion. After a rough night in Game 1, Savannah Frisbee bounced back with a shutout in Game 2 to clinch the series. How @enka_athletics won its first title in 10 years: citizen-times.com/story/spor…

FINAL: Enka 4, West Carteret 0 Enka sweeps the 5A state championship, winning its first title since 2016. Savannah Frisbee shut the Patriots down in the circle and Baylee Edney drove in the winner. The Sugar Jets are champions.

Day✌️in Durham. No. 1 Enka (24-3) has a chance to close out its first state title since 2016 and holds a 1-0 5A state series lead over No. 6 West Carteret (22-5). Sugar Jets win 11-5 yesterday. Updates to come for @acthshuddle:

📍Smith Family Stadium, Duke Game 1. No. 1 Enka softball (22-3) is searching for its first state title since 2016 in the 5A state championship against No. 6 West Carteret (22-4). Both teams swept in the regional finals. Updates to come for @acthshuddle:

For the first time ever, Robbinsville softball is headed to the state championships. The Black Knights beat Bethany Community 6-1 to sweep the series. Ella Nelms shut down another opponent, allowing her 2nd earned run all year. Robbinsville will face No. 1 Bear Grass Charter.

Hello from Hendersonville! I made the trip out for the fourth round of the NCHSAA 3A soccer playoffs between No. 2 Hendersonville (20-2-1) and No. 3 Polk County (18-2-4). The winner will face No. 1 Pine Lake Prep in the regional finals. Follow along for updates. @acthshuddle

Down to the final four. Game 1 of the 5A West Regional finals tonight features No. 1 Enka (21-3) and No. 3 North Davidson (23-5). Enka came back to walk off Crest to reach the regional final for the first time since 2016. Updates @acthshuddle:

How about a playoff rivalry game? No. 6 Roberson (16-4-1) will square off with No. 3 Reynolds (15-3-2) in the third round. The Rockets are looking for a season sweep of the Rams. Updates for @acthshuddle:

Back on the pitch for Round✌️ of soccer playoffs. After a first round bye, No. 4 Asheville High (15-4) is opening its postseason against No. 13 Ragsdale (13-5). The Cougars defense will face a high-scoring Tigers offense.

Hello from Candler! I made the trip for the third round of the NCHSAA 5A playoffs between No. 1 Enka (19-3) and No. 9 Oak Grove (17-9). The winner will face No. 5 Crest or No. 13 West Rowan on May 15. Follow along for updates. @acthshuddle

Third round of the playoffs. Conference rivals. Plenty at stake. No. 6 Murphy (12-8) is looking to take down No. 3 Swain County (18-4) after the Maroon Devils swept the regular season. Paisley Johnson vs Rylee Rawls in the circle for the final time. Updates @acthshuddle:

Hello from Sylva! I made the trip out for a NCHSAA 5A first round girls soccer match between No. 10 Smoky Mountain (12-9-2) and No. 23 North Gaston (4-11-3). The winner will face No. 7 Forestview on May 14. Follow along for updates. @acthshuddle

📍Newland It’s the first round of the girls soccer playoffs, and I’m catching an area matchup between No. 20 Cherokee (4-10-1) and No. 13 Avery County (10-10). The Vikings have WNC’s leading goal scorer in Caitlin Shapiro. Updates for @acthshuddle:

Roberson tennis is bringing home some hardware. Isaac Lewis won the 6A singles individual state championship today, beating Charlotte Catholic’s Will Kaufmann 6-1, 6-0. James O’Brien and Luke Enea were the runners-up in 6A doubles, falling 3-6, 6-3, 3-6 to East Chapel Hill.