Swain High hosted an invitational Nov. 15 and Nov. 16.
The placed 5th out of 16 teams. Noteworthy performances for the weekend included Joel Maffett, a freshman, as a runner up at 106, a champ at 132 in Kale Stephenson, senior and Clay Seagle, a senior as a runner up at 175 as well.
“We wrestled tough and worked hard to do our best. I felt like we wrestled well and have an opportunity to continue to get better,” said head coach Adam Jaimez. “I’m looking forward to seeing how these guys progress throughout the season.”
The Lady Devils finished 2nd out 12 teams on the day as well. Team placers included: Jany Echeverria, a sophomore, as a runner up at 107
Faith West 4th at 107
Claire Ball, freshman, was a Champ at 120
Chloe Kent was 4th at 120
Ellie Norton, a junior, was 4th at 126
Elaynah Cogdill, junior, was a champ at 132
Tasia Neadeau, senior, was a runner up at 138
Lindsey Faulkenberry, sophomore, was a champ at 145
Pippa Welch and Aracely Lara tied for third at 152
Anasette Cooper was a runner up at 185
and Madison Crisp was 3rd at 185 as well.
“Our girls wrestled tough all day and really made some great steps towards becoming the program we believe we can become,” Jaimez said. “Competition in the wrestling room is great, and we can see it carrying over to the mat.”
The athletes on both sides work hard, he said. Having a strong middle school program is also a boon to the high school.
Jaimez estimates the program has about 100 athletes participating including girls, boys and middle school.
“That is something to be proud of and grateful for,” he said.
Jaimez also thanked everyone who helped make this past weekend’s tournament a success.
Future events will be in honor of Carrie Powell, who was the school’s athletic trainer for 20 years before her unexpected death in November 2023.
“We are extremely excited for the future tournaments named in honor of Ms. Carrie Powell! All the proceeds from the tournament every year will go towards scholarships in her name, and I believe Carrie would be honored and proud of our community for doing a wonderful thing for the children of her community. I've heard many say, ‘to have known Carrie, was to have loved her.’ I believe that sums most of us and how we felt about her.”