Another member of the historic Cherokee High School (CHS) Braves 2021-22 cross country team has signed to run at the collegiate level.

On the afternoon of Friday, Dec. 8, Jeremy Thompson of the Thompson Brothers’ 4 The Future Foundation (4TFF) and Stacy Smith Ledford, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and executive director of 4TFF, stepped onto the field at Ray Kinsland Stadium for practice with the inaugural Cherokee High School (CHS) club lacrosse team.

The Mars Hill University track and field team is gearing up for its 2023-24 season and includes a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).  Antonio Lorenzo, an EBCI tribal member and a May graduate of Smoky Mountain High School, will throw the shot put for the Lions this season. 

The first On the Sidelines column I wrote many years ago was on the biggest Cherokee Braves fan I have ever met – Mr. Will Poolaw.  Will is a staple at Cherokee sporting events, and his ever-present smile and can-do attitude bring life into the sidelines at every one of them.

At every athletic event I cover, there are always fans with many of them being family of the athletes.  Being on the sidelines, I can hear the cheers for the athletes coming from the stands – which are generally full. 

Zoie Shuler, a senior at Robbinsville High School and a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, signed on to play softball for the University of Tennessee (UT) on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the Robbinsville High School gymnasium.

On the foggy morning of Saturday, Oct. 28, Dvdaya Swimmer, Cherokee High School (CHS) sophomore, repeated as 1A West Regional girls cross country champion. 

As the last ball hit the floor ending the Cherokee Lady Braves 2023 volleyball season at Polk Co. High School on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 28, I hope everyone in attendance was aware of the magnitude of what their season meant.