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Tyce Neadeau wrestles at the Maroon Devil Invitational on Nov. 19. Swain’s next wrestling match will be this Friday at Fannin County. Photo by Joanna McMahan/Swain Schools
Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
The Maroon Devils wrestling season kicked off on Thursday, Nov. 17 with an away match in Asheville, where Swain took the 58.0 to 21.0 win over Asheville High School.
On Nov. 19, the Devils hosted their season’s first home tournament, the Maroon Devil Invitational where they were joined by several counties. Last Wednesday, the team competed in another tournament, the Enka Jet Invitational.
“We have had two matches and two tournaments, and so far, our team is 1-1 for the season (in conference),” Coach Adam Jamiez said. “I believe we were 3rd out of 15 at one tournament and 5th out of 15 teams at another.”
The team has seven seniors this year: Tyce Neadeau, Austin Jenkins, Israel Ferguson, Gabe Lillard, David Ortega, Darius Saunooke, and Blake Sain. Coach Jaimez said the team has a great group of all ages and experience levels.
“The majority of our experience is in upper weight, but we have a lot of new kids this year that I am excited to work with and see their different skill levels,” Coach Jaimez said.
The coach said Swain’s goal this season, as it is every year, is to win a conference title.
“Just like every season, we are working toward a conference championship and hoping for a really long run toward state,” Coach Jaimez said. “We are in a really tough conference but that helps us prepare for
gionals and state.”
Swain girls wrestling
Don’t forget about the Lady Devils wrestling team who are back this year bigger and better. The team now has 14 girls, including two seniors: Erika Wachacha and Tynighia Lillard.
“We have a great girl team that has grown a lot this year,” Coach Jaimez said. “Erika Wachacha is one of two seniors and she has a lot of experience. Tynighia Lillard is our other senior and we also have Tasia Neadeau and Emmy Everhardt back from last season.”
The coach explained that this is the season before girls wrestling will be recognized as a varsity sport by the state, but this year’s team will still get to experience a true season and even get to go to State at Greensboro.
“The girls wrestling program keeps growing leaps and bounds in the state and we are very proud that we were some of the first to push our school district to have a girls’ team,” Coach Jaimez said. “I am very proud to have these girls represent our team and although this is the year before they will be able to compete for a state championship that will be recognized by the state, we will have a regular season that will operate like we are going for the state championship.”
Swain wrestling’s next match will be this Friday at the Quad Match Fannin County and the team’s next home match will be Friday, Dec. 9 against Cherokee and Smoky Mountain.