Cherokee takes on Smoky Mtn. (Jan. 11) and Murphy (Jan. 12)

Robbinsville High School hosted the James Orr Memorial Invitational wrestling tournament on Saturday, Jan. 13. 

Sherrene Swayney, from Cherokee, N.C., has been chosen by Qualla Boundary Senior Games to serve as a North Carolina Senior Games (NCSG) Ambassador, she will join, Lois Dunston, Loretta Bolden, Margaret Teesateskie, Annie Owens, and Willard McCoy.

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.