Hannah Styles
hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Last week the Swain County Maroon Devils wrestling team kicked off their season against Asheville, where Swain took a 58.0 win to Asheville’s 21.0.
On Saturday, the Devils hosted the 2022 Maroon Devil Invitational at Swain High School. Last year the Devils had a successful season with four wrestlers qualifying for All Conference, and back in February had four place in the top three of their weight divisions at the 2022 NCHSAA 1A Wrestling State Tournament, Championship Finals.
Results from Saturday’s tournament:
120: Kale Stephenson (Swain County) - DNP. Quarterfinals - Kale Stephenson (Swain County) over Luke Hyde (Murphy) (Fall 5:26). Semifinals - Kale Stephenson (Swain County) over Gavin Coggins (Smoky Mountain) (Dec 6-2). 1st Place Match - Dakota Parton (Rutherfordton-Spindale) over Kale Stephenson (Swain County) (Fall 2:50).
138: James Stroman (Swain County) - DNP. Quarterfinals - James Stroman (Swain County) over Nicolas Phillips (Cocke County) (Fall 1:46). Semifinals - Caleb Cox (Rutherfordton-Spindale) over James Stroman (Swain County) (Fall 1:01). Cons. Semis - James Stroman (Swain County) over Levi Worsham (West Henderson) (Fall 3:51). 3rd Place Match - James Stroman (Swain County) over Tucker Fox (Mountain Heritage) (Dec 4-2).
145: Randall “Austin” Jenkins (Swain County) - DNP. Champ. Round 1 - Randall “Austin” Jenkins (Swain County) received a bye. Quarterfinals - Damion Wright (North Henderson) over Randall `Austin` Jenkins (Swain County) (MD 11-3). Cons. Round 1 - Randall “0Austin” Jenkins (Swain County) over Koen Kiser (Rosman) (Fall 2:28). Cons. Semis - Hayden Snethen (Rutherfordton-Spindale) over Randall “Austin” Jenkins (Swain County) (Fall 0:29).
152: Israel Ferguson (Swain County) - DNP. Semifinals - Chase Browning (Franklin) over Israel Ferguson (Swain County) (Fall 2:56). Cons. Semis - Israel Ferguson (Swain County) over Govany Cruz (Smoky Mountain) (Fall 0:35). 3rd Place Match - Israel Ferguson (Swain County) over Eduardo Rodriguez (North Henderson) (Dec 13-9).
195: Darius Saunooke (Swain County) - DNP. Quarterfinals - Darius Saunooke (Swain County) over Jacob Hudgins (Rutherfordton-Spindale) (Fall 0:24). 1st Place Match - Darius Saunooke (Swain County) over Felix Montiel (North Henderson) (Fall 4:23).
220: Blake Sain (Swain County) - DNP. Quarterfinals - Blake Sain (Swain County) over Sean Martinez (Smoky Mountain) (Fall 2:37). Semifinals - Blake Sain (Swain County) over Zach Pinion (Rutherfordton-Spindale) (Fall 4:33). 1st Place Match - Blake Sain (Swain County) over Braxden Kelly (Cocke County) (Fall 0:28).
285: Kohlton Neadeau (Swain County) - DNP. Quarterfinals - Kohlton Neadeau (Swain County) over Kendall McEntyre (Polk County) (Fall 0:45). Semifinals - Kohlton Neadeau (Swain County) over Javery Herrera (Franklin) (TF 18-3 2:00). 1st Place Match - Cristopher Flockhart (Cocke County) over Kohlton Neadeau (Swain County) (Fall 2:27).
Colin `Phoenix` Hoyle (Swain County) - DNP. Quarterfinals - Colin `Phoenix` Hoyle (Swain County) over Ashton Raxter (Murphy) (Fall 1:39). Semifinals - Kavan Wilson (Smoky Mountain) over Colin `Phoenix` Hoyle (Swain County) (MD 10-2). Cons. Semis - Colin `Phoenix` Hoyle (Swain County) over Bryson Mcfalls (Mitchell) (Dec 4-2). 3rd Place Match - Daniel Figueroa (North Henderson) over Colin `Phoenix` Hoyle (Swain County) (MD 13-2).
Clay Seagle (Swain County) - DNP. Champ. Round 1 - Clay Seagle (Swain County) over Dominick Kissel (Murphy) (Fall 1:30). Quarterfinals - Kyle Jamerson (Madison) over Clay Seagle (Swain County) (Fall 0:22). Cons. Round 1 - Clay Seagle (Swain County) over Juan Mirafuentes (Smoky Mountain) (Dec 4-2). Cons. Semis - Jackie Barnette (Cocke County) over Clay Seagle (Swain County) (Fall 1:31).
The Maroon Devils next match will be Wednesday at the Enka Jet invitational and Friday, December 2 at the Quad Match Fannin County. The next home tournament will be Friday, December 9 vs Cherokee and Smoky Mountain.