Sports

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Far West Special Olympics with a superhero theme April 2025.

Photo/Sara Eisinger. Far West Special Olympics with a superhero theme April 2025.

Swain to host Special Olympics Spring Games

News Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Sara Eisinger Smoky Mountain Times   The big top is coming to Swain County — not with lions and trapeze artists, but with cheers, high-fives and the determined strides of athletes from across the region.
Submitted photo. Rio Helpman, freshman, against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy March 19.

Submitted photo. Rio Helpman, freshman, against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy March 19.

Lady Devils show grit in matchups

News Staff
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Kyndall Cochran   Despite the final score, the Swain County Lady Devils delivered a performance defined by hustle, determination and resilience in their matchup against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy.
Photo/Joanna McMahan. Claire Ball.

Photo/Joanna McMahan. Claire Ball.

Lady Devils soccer season preview

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Lady Devils are entering a rebuilding season after losing nine seniors last year, but the team is ready to put in the work. “This year, after losing nine seniors, we know we are in a rebuilding year, but this team is ready to work hard,” said Kyndall Cochran, coach.
Submitted photo. Swain varsity soccer players Caroline Freshour (front, left to right), Julianna Meraz-Quijada, Khloe French, Jolee Stephens, Kyndall Norton, Audrey Monteith and Ellie Norton; (back, left to right) Tessa Philips, Heidi Ammann, Betsy Marley, McKena Marple, Marie Stoltzfus, Erica Moore, Addison Smith, Natasha Bentley, Khloe Chapman and Joylyn Stillman start the season in March 2026.

Submitted photo. Swain varsity soccer players Caroline Freshour (front, left to right), Julianna Meraz-Quijada, Khloe French, Jolee Stephens, Kyndall Norton, Audrey Monteith and Ellie Norton; (back, left to right) Tessa Philips, Heidi Ammann, Betsy Marley, McKena Marple, Marie Stoltzfus, Erica Moore, Addison Smith, Natasha Bentley, Khloe Chapman and Joylyn Stillman start the season in March 2026.

Lady Devils defeat Hayesville, 7-2

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Lady Devils varsity soccer team faced off against Hayesville with a 7-2 win last Thursday. “We are early on in our season and we are looking forward as a whole to learn the game of soccer while building confidence in the players and being a team,” said Kyndall Cochran, coach.
Photo/Joanna McMahan. Senior Carly Teesateskie receives congratulations by head coach Toby Burrell after a triple on the Devil’s diamond March 4.

Photo/Joanna McMahan. Senior Carly Teesateskie receives congratulations by head coach Toby Burrell after a triple on the Devil’s diamond March 4.

Devils edge Murphy 2-1

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Maroon Devils softball team wasted little time taking control last Wednesday, rolling to a commanding 10-0 shutout victory over Tuscola.
Submitted photo. Annie Lewis dominates the NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor Track and Field Championships at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, capturing state titles in the 1600-meter and 1000-meter runs in Feb. 2026.

Submitted photo. Annie Lewis dominates the NCHSAA 1A/2A Indoor Track and Field Championships at JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, capturing state titles in the 1600-meter and 1000-meter runs in Feb. 2026.

Track standout Annie Lewis signs with Georgia Tech amid dominant indoor season

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Distance standout Annie Lewis is headed to the ACC. The Swain High senior officially signed at Georgia Tech last month to compete in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, while pursuing a degree in industrial engineering. “I really like the team,” Lewis said. “They felt like family.
Submitted photo. Rylee Rawls strikes out eight batters in five innings against Smoky Mountain at her home field Feb. 27.

Submitted photo. Rylee Rawls strikes out eight batters in five innings against Smoky Mountain at her home field Feb. 27.

Softball opens with 14-1 win, 5 innings

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Scotty McMahan Athletic director   The Lady Devil softball team opened the 2026 season last Friday by hosting Smoky Mountain. Swain pounded out 14 hits on their way to scoring 14 runs and taking a 14-1 season opening win in 5 innings.
Submitted photo. Senior Sullivan Cunningham captures Class 1A/2A state championship at 113 pounds, finishing off his career with a dominant tournament run in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Individual State Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum Feb. 21.

Submitted photo. Senior Sullivan Cunningham captures Class 1A/2A state championship at 113 pounds, finishing off his career with a dominant tournament run in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Individual State Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum Feb. 21.

Cunningham wins state title as Swain caps strong finish

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Ian P. Roper SHS coach   Swain County closed its wrestling season Saturday at the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Individual State Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum with a state title, a runner-up finish and a third-place team result in the girls’ standings.