Pippa Welch (women’s 152, third place) and Levi Tramper (HWT, fourth place) from Cherokee High School, both members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), competed in the 2026 NCHSAA State Championship Tournament held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 in Greensboro Coliseum.

Wrestling is special. It’s ancient, it’s biblical, it’s unlike any other sport in the world, but it can help you be better in every other sport.

Shirley Reagan, an elder of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, has been doing Judo for years, and she recently hit a milestone in the sport she loves.  She has received certification as a USA Judo National Referee and can officiate any national tournament in the United States.

The Cherokee High School (CHS) men’s and women’s wrestling teams competed in two separate regional events this past week, and two CHS wrestlers have qualified for the upcoming state meet scheduled for Feb. 19-21 at the First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.   

Cherokee High School’s (CHS) indoor track team participated in the Swain County Polar meet held at the Swain Co. High School Track on Wednesday, Jan. 21. 

The Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) won the women’s Smoky Mountain Conference Wrestling Championship on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 22 at Cherokee High School which hosted both the men’s and women’s championship.

Marlee Hicks, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and a senior on the Tsalagi Anata Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Lady Braves) varsity basketball team, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Pfeiffer University next season.

The Tsalagi Anitsvyasdi (Cherokee Braves) varsity wrestling team took second place in Pool D at the Enka Duals Girls meet in Candler, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 3.