WNC Sports -- January 15, 2026: WNC Sports Weekly: Hardwood Battles and Post-Season Prep
It has been an action-packed week for Western North Carolina athletes. From high-stakes high school rivalries to regional college dominance and updates from the professional ranks, here is your wnctimes local sports roundup for the week of January 12, 2026.
High School Sports: The Road to Regionals
WNC Basketball: Conference Grinds Continue Conference play is officially "heating up" as WNC teams fight for every inch in the RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) standings. This week saw pivotal matchups in the CAASC Asheville and Blue Ridge conferences, where local teams are jockeying for position ahead of the late-January push. With the regular season entering its final month, these regional battles will determine who earns the home-court advantage come playoff time.
Wrestling: Dual Team Bracketing Approaches The wrestling mats have been busy as the regular season begins to wind down. NCHSAA Dual Team Bracketing is officially set to take place on January 29, with the first and second rounds beginning January 31. Local wrestlers are currently focused on padding their individual records, which will be critical for seeding in the upcoming regional tournaments in early February.
Indoor Track: Qualifying in Winston-Salem WNC track athletes made the trip to the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem this past week for several high-profile meets. With the NCHSAA State Championships scheduled for mid-February, local stars used this week to hit their qualifying marks. Notable performances were seen across the board as athletes from across the mountains proved they can compete with the best in the state.
College Highlights: Mountaineers and Bulldogs Shine
App State Track & Field: A Dominant Showing The Mountaineers put on a clinic at the UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener, held at Tryon International on January 10. The team secured nine first-place finishes. Standouts included junior Jayla Adams, who took gold in the 300 meters, and freshman sensation Josie Jackson, who completed an impressive sweep of both the 600m and 800m events.
App State Wrestling: Dominating the SoCon App State Wrestling opened Southern Conference action with a statement, crushing Presbyterian 46-4. Aldo Hernandez was honored as the SoCon Wrestler of the Week for his stellar performance. The Mountaineers are back on the mat today, January 15, facing off against VMI in Boone.
UNC Asheville Basketball: Big South Momentum The Bulldogs are climbing the Big South standings after a hard-fought 91-72 victory over Radford this past week. The win featured a high-powered offense that the Bulldogs hope to carry through the rest of the conference schedule.
Professional Notes: Panthers Playoff Update
Carolina Panthers: Post-Season Heartbreak & Future Plans In news that shook WNC fans, the Panthers' playoff run came to a close this past Saturday, January 10, in a nail-biting 34-31 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium. Despite the early exit, the organization is looking toward the future. The Panthers GM officially announced that the team will pick up Bryce Young’s 5th-year option, securing the quarterback through the 2027 season.
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