Swafford hired as Cardinal wrestling coach

ELDON — The Cardinal Comets will have a new wrestling coach next winter, and it’s a name that is very familiar to fans in Southeast Iowa.

Former Mediapolis standout Shea Swafford, who was already a staff member for the Comets, will take over at the helm next season.

“Coach Swafford has a ton of passion and experience in the sport of wrestling,” said Cardinal Activities Director Chris Becker in a news release. “When you pair that with his ability to teach kids and, more importantly, build relationships with kids, he has the perfect characteristics to be a successful head coach at whatever level he chooses.”

Swafford will take over for the role of Coach Dakota Miller, who resigned after the 2022-23 season.

“I feel honored and excited for the opportunity to do something special here at Cardinal,” said Swafford in the release. “I look forward to the future memories that await.”

Swafford racked up 160 wins in his career at Mediapolis, and had three Top-8 finishes at the state tournament, finishing fourth, fifth and seventh. He went on to Graceland to continue his wrestling career.

Swafford will take over for a Cardinal squad that placed eighth at the 2023 South Central Conference tournament, and sent one wrestler, heavyweight Isaac Cox, to the state tournament.