PEMBROKE —Purnell Swett wrestling coach Nicky Barnes has made an impact with his program at the regional and state level and now is set to take on a bigger challenge national stage.

After serving two years on the USA wrestling state board, Barnes has been named the head coach for the North Carolina Junior duals team that competes against other states all over the country.

“It’s exciting to see the hard work that we’ve put in be noticed and my dedication for the sport to be noticed,” Barnes said. “I have coached at the high school and club level that has made an impact at the state level, and to coach the state team at the national level is a huge step.”

Barnes said that for him to be a newcomer on the scene to be named to this position is a big step for his program, but the committee that selected him saw where his coaching wisdom well exceeds his age.

“They like my passion for the sport and how at a young age I have a grasp on the overall picture. Most younger coaches only focus on the small picture,” Barnes said. “They also noticed that I took a program from nothing to one of the top qualifiers in the state, and how I truly have a focus on improving the sport.”

He has been coaching overall for seven years, five as the head coach at Purnell Swett and has produced results in his short time there already.

Named the Southeastern Conference coach of the year last season. Barnes has coached some of the top wrestlers in the area and the state, all while growing the sport in Robeson County. This past season, the Rams placed two wrestlers at the state championships and had the school’s second wrestler to make it to the state title bout in Rommie McNeill.

As coach, Barnes hopes to help the wrestlers of the state, while also continue to build on his expertise to take back this Winter for Purnell Swett.

“Through this I will meet some of the top college coaches and I will learn from them,” Barnes said. “Also, I will be able to coach some of the top high school boys wrestlers in the state and the country.

“I want to come back and hope to implement what I’ve learned to help take the high school team to the next level.”

While his own program is one of the up-and-coming programs in the state, Barnes feels that North Carolina wrestling is trending in the right direction as well.

“I know that North Carolina wrestling is on the up,” Barnes said. “North Carolina wrestling is growing and to have my name on the list of what helped make it big would be cool.”

Kelli Shffler | USA Wrestling Purnell Swett wrestling coach will take his coaching abilities to the national level as he was selected to be the coach for the North Carolina Junior duals team.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_Barnes201741212812584.jpgKelli Shffler | USA Wrestling Purnell Swett wrestling coach will take his coaching abilities to the national level as he was selected to be the coach for the North Carolina Junior duals team.
Swett’s Barnes to coach N.C. Junior duals wrestling team

By Jonathan Bym

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Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.