Sports

Boys cross country speeding toward opening season

A freshman-laden roster is both an exciting and daunting proposition. The team’s core is set for years to come, but it often takes times for kids fresh out of middle school to develop the mental and physical attributes needed to successfully compete at the varsity level.

Attendance a challenge for cross country practices

Cross Country is one of the few sports that does not require human contact, yet the Swain runners have been abiding by the new NCHSAA schedule and guidelines like everyone else.

Lady Devils volleyball gears up for tough season

After losing several key players to graduation, Swain coach Kayla McMahan was facing a transitional year in 2020. The process of bringing her younger players up to speed will be accelerated by a condensed schedule that leaves nowhere to hide. There are no cupcakes, no filler games.

Athletics waiting on game guidance

Swain County High School Athletic Director and head football coach Neil Blankenship, reported that there have been some challenges with athletics this season amid the health pandemic, when he spoke before the Swain Board of Education on Monday.

Two indicted for murder in Morris case

A Swain County Grand Jury delivered two true bills of indictment on first-degree murder charges against two people on Thursday, Sept. 24 who are charged in the death of Lenore Dawn Morris. Morris, 70, died at her home located on Deep Gap Road on Aug. 14.

Maroon Devils making their mark: Bronson Messer

Hanging on the wall of Bronson Messer’s office at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee, are his Bachelor’s in Physics and PhD in Astrophysics from University of Tennessee, but no high school diploma.

Blankenship awarded Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award

Swain County High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Neil Blankenship said he was surprised when he was awarded the Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award for Region 8 during the North Carolina High School Athletic Association regional meeting that was held online.

Maroon Devils Making their Mark: James Douthit

It was a Maroon Devil Friday night, and James Douthit was preparing to take the field for the first time. In his hands wasn’t a helmet or leather ball but a saxophone.

Playoff games set for high school athletics

The N.C. High School Athletic Association has released a playoff calendar for all high school sports and explained more about how the playoffs will work with the 2020-21 modified sports calendar.

Maroon Devils making their mark: Jackie Corbin

The game ball was supposed to go to Swain, or so the Maroon Devils thought. Instead, a Franklin High player snatched the ball from the referee and ran away with it. Swain had already won the football game, but round two erupted in the form of a bench and bleacher-clearing brawl.