Sports

Larry Griffin/SMT New cheerleading coach Ashley West (right) and assistant coach Ashley Walker are ready for the new season this fall.

Larry Griffin/SMT New cheerleading coach Ashley West (right) and assistant coach Ashley Walker are ready for the new season this fall.

New cheerleading coach ready to tackle first year

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   New Swain County High cheerleading coach Ashley West is actually completely new to the field of cheerleading – she’s a history teacher by day and stepping into the role for the first time ever this year. “I’m a newbie,” she said.
Joanna McMahan was honored at the Swain County High Athletic Awards night on Tuesday, May 24 for her years spent photographing athletes on the field for the school’s social media.

Joanna McMahan was honored at the Swain County High Athletic Awards night on Tuesday, May 24 for her years spent photographing athletes on the field for the school’s social media.

Swain athletes honored at Athletic Awards Ceremony

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   If nothing else, the Swain County High Athletic Awards ceremony held Tuesday night, May 24, at the Swain Arts Center and lasting over 3 1/2 hours, proved how many stellar athletes have participated in games this past year.
Anna Gray goes in for a kick at the Lady Devils soccer game played on Thursday, May 18. The game was a hard fought one and the Lady Devils only lost to opponents Cornerstone Charter after numerous overtime plays.

Anna Gray goes in for a kick at the Lady Devils soccer game played on Thursday, May 18. The game was a hard fought one and the Lady Devils only lost to opponents Cornerstone Charter after numerous overtime plays.

Lady Devils soccer out in 2nd round after overtime shootout

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Lady Devils soccer team is out of the playoffs after losing against Cornerstone Charter on Thursday, May 18, but the game was a tough one that saw two 10-minute overtime periods and other trials to decide the winner.
Lady Devils are track & field champions- for the third year running!

Lady Devils are track & field champions- for the third year running!

Lady Devils are 3x state champions in track & field

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain County High School’s boys’ and girls’ track and field teams brought home high marks from the NCHSAA State Championships held Friday, May 19 in Greensboro. The Lady Devils took first place while the Maroon Devils got second.
Lady Devil Karena Cline battles for the ball at Monday’s playoff game.

Lady Devil Karena Cline battles for the ball at Monday’s playoff game.

Lady Devils win first playoffs game 9-0 against North Rowan

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   The Lady Devils soccer team is now the number one seed in the Smoky Mountain Conference for playoffs after beating Highlands 2-0 on Thursday night, May 11.
Maroon Devil Skeet Cook competes at the 1a regional tournament at Lincoln Country Club.

Maroon Devil Skeet Cook competes at the 1a regional tournament at Lincoln Country Club.

Cook takes 44th at 1A regional golf tournament

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Skeet Cook, a freshman at Swain County High, got to play golf in the 1A regional tournament at Lincoln Country Club – the only Swain player to do so this year. He finished 44th with a score of 107.
Swain County High School Maroon Devils and Lady Devils both took first place at the regional competition held Friday, May 12. Several individual athletes had big wins for the day as well.

Swain County High School Maroon Devils and Lady Devils both took first place at the regional competition held Friday, May 12. Several individual athletes had big wins for the day as well.

Swain track & field teams take first place at regionals

Larry Griffin lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com   Swain High’s track teams continued a dominant streak in Valdese on Friday, May 12, keeping ahead of Mountain Island Charter’s teams, with both the Swain boys’ and girls’ teams winning with 132 points and 153 points respectively.
Swain athletes participated in Special Olympics in Jackson County Friday

Swain athletes participated in Special Olympics in Jackson County Friday

Swain athletes compete at Special Olympics

Approximately 25 students from the Swain County School System competed in the Special Olympics hosted by Jackson County on Friday, May 5. Athletes competed in various events and had a wonderful day of friendly competition, fun and socialization.