Sports

JV freshman, Charleigh Loftis (7) back sets the ball for her right side attacker.

JV freshman, Charleigh Loftis (7) back sets the ball for her right side attacker.

Lady Devils JV victorious

News Staff
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Swain County volleyball traveled to Rosman for a Smoky Mountain Conference match on Tuesday night, Sept. 2. Swain Middle School came home victorious, winning in three sets. The junior varsity team also came home with the win, beating Rosman in straight sets (26-24, 25-14).

Women’s golf takes on season

News Staff
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Joshua Crisp  Dean of Students/Instructional Coach   The Swain women’s golf team has started their season strong, demonstrating resilience and determination in their recent matches. The young team, comprised of many new players, is showing significant improvement with each outing. On Aug.
Photo/Joanna McMahan. #16 Druw Cody tosses a shuttle pass behind the offense line at Pisgah HS Aug. 29. Cody finished 13-of-17 for 101 yards, and carried the ball 15 times for 67 yards.

Photo/Joanna McMahan. #16 Druw Cody tosses a shuttle pass behind the offense line at Pisgah HS Aug. 29. Cody finished 13-of-17 for 101 yards, and carried the ball 15 times for 67 yards.

Swain drops a Nail-Biter 28-27 to Pisgah

(not verified)
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Nick Nichols  SMT Sports   It was 68 degrees and dry when the teams stepped onto the artificial surface at Pisgah Memorial Stadium in Canton on August 29, 2025. The Maroon Devils played their second straight game against a Mountain 8 4A/5A Conference team, in the form of the Pisgah Black Bears.
Photo/Nick Nicholas. Zeke Glaspie breaks off-tackle for one of his many positive-yard plays in Swain County’s game versus Smoky Mountain in Sylva Aug. 22. Glaspie used his speed to shred the Mustang defense all night long, showing surprising power between the tackles. The senior’s efforts were a major factor in Swain’s 21-6 victory.  

Photo/Nick Nicholas. Zeke Glaspie breaks off-tackle for one of his many positive-yard plays in Swain County’s game versus Smoky Mountain in Sylva Aug. 22. Glaspie used his speed to shred the Mustang defense all night long, showing surprising power between the tackles. The senior’s efforts were a major factor in Swain’s 21-6 victory.  

Swain Devils defeat Smoky Mountain with 21-6 win

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Nick Nichols SMT Correspondent   The Maroon Devils began their 2025 campaign with a big 21-6 win over Mountain 8 4A/5A foe Smoky Mountain in Sylva Friday, August 22.  It was a beautiful night in Western NC for a very spirited contest between long time rivals.
Submitted photo. Left: Team prepares for start of their Aug. 19 match against the Bobcats.

Submitted photo. Left: Team prepares for start of their Aug. 19 match against the Bobcats.

Lady Devils sweep Bobcats

News Staff
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Leah Pacey SHS Volleyball Coach Swain High’s Varsity volleyball team traveled to Blue Ridge Early College for their first away game of the season. The Lady Devils made quick work sweeping the Bobcats in three sets (25-18, 25-14, 25-13). Swain has won the last four matchups against Blue Ridge.
Photo/Joanna McMahan. Varsity volleyball teammates Bella Green (left to right, front), Brylee Shuler, Allie Stephenson, Jamy Teesateskie, Cara Aldridge, Ryan Ellis, Jade Jenkins and Reese Ammons; Head-coach Leah Pacey (back, left to right), Molleigh Woodard, Haley Teesateskie, Rylee Rawls, Kinsley Hyatt, Carley Teesateskie, Kennedy Anthony and Coach Selissa Shuler make up this year’s Lady Devils team Monday, Aug. 11.

Photo/Joanna McMahan. Varsity volleyball teammates Bella Green (left to right, front), Brylee Shuler, Allie Stephenson, Jamy Teesateskie, Cara Aldridge, Ryan Ellis, Jade Jenkins and Reese Ammons; Head-coach Leah Pacey (back, left to right), Molleigh Woodard, Haley Teesateskie, Rylee Rawls, Kinsley Hyatt, Carley Teesateskie, Kennedy Anthony and Coach Selissa Shuler make up this year’s Lady Devils team Monday, Aug. 11.

JV, Varsity volleyball kicks off season 1-1

News Staff
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Leah Pacey Swain High Head Volleyball Coach   Swain junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams are 1-1 after their home games this week. On Monday night, both JV and varsity fell short in a non-conference match against Pisgah (JV; 19-25, 20-25) and varsity (22-25, 20-25, 14-25).
Submitted photo. Approximately 60 students play instruments at Swain summer band camp this summer. Karen Williams-Lanning, band director said students have arrived excited and eager to learn.

Submitted photo. Approximately 60 students play instruments at Swain summer band camp this summer. Karen Williams-Lanning, band director said students have arrived excited and eager to learn.

Summer band camp ends with performance

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
The Swain band camp summer finale will include special performances for parents, friends and family at the high school baseball diamond Thursday, Aug. 7,  at 8:30 p.m.
Submitted photo. Jay Raxter, Swain County High School’s head new track coach, is ready to start the track season off right.

Submitted photo. Jay Raxter, Swain County High School’s head new track coach, is ready to start the track season off right.

Swain High has new track coach

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Jay Raxter, exceptional children’s teacher at Swain High, has accepted the position of head track and field coach. Raxter is a graduate of Andrews High School in Cherokee County. “I first got introduced to track and field while in middle school as a shotput and discus thrower,” said Raxter.
Swain High’s new head volleyball coach Leah Pacey shows off her maroon and white pride in July. Pacey was hired in May.

Swain High’s new head volleyball coach Leah Pacey shows off her maroon and white pride in July. Pacey was hired in May.

Swain High hires new head volleyball coach

Sara Eisinger
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Swain County High School has welcomed a new junior varsity and varsity volleyball coach – Leah Pacey. “I accepted my role as head coach in May and began volleyball workouts in June,” said Pacey. “I will begin working as a clinical social worker in August when school starts.
Photos/Deb Stuart. The Couch Family (front, left to right), Eloise, Birdy, Henry; (back, left to right), Jarrod, Alyssa, baby Margot, Judy, Annie, Jordan and Gene at the 2025 Firecracker 5K in Bryson City on July 4. Judy Couch has run this race for 35 of the 36 years it has been held.

Photos/Deb Stuart. The Couch Family (front, left to right), Eloise, Birdy, Henry; (back, left to right), Jarrod, Alyssa, baby Margot, Judy, Annie, Jordan and Gene at the 2025 Firecracker 5K in Bryson City on July 4. Judy Couch has run this race for 35 of the 36 years it has been held.

Record numbers at the Firecracker 5K race

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Deb Stuart Bryson City Rotary Club   This year, the 36th annual Firecracker 5K had record numbers. One hundred more runners than ever before stood on the starting line. The race raised over $17,000 to contribute to the needs in the Swain County  community.