Cheers of Courage

Mat Cat wrestling manager proves to be an inspiration for all

By DAVID LESNICK

The Daily Inter Lake

For Niko Swift, it's always been about sports.

"Any sport," says his mother, Rosanna Fagerland.

"Always watching 'SportsCenter.' He never watched cartoons (as a child)."

Swift, who just turned 15, is a freshman at Columbia Falls High School. And his fascination with athletics remains as strong as ever.

"Always happy, very competitive," said Rosanna.

"If he could play sports, he'd be one of the good ones."

But Swift can't play. He was born with cerebral palsy.

So the honor student is spending his first year of high school as a manager with the Mat Cats.

"I knew he was a big wrestling fan," said Columbia Falls wrestling coach Wes Knutson.

"He's been hanging around (the wrestling room) the last couple of years."

Swift said it was his idea to be the manager.

He asked Knutson if he could serve the team in that capacity and the coach was more than happy to oblige.

"It's great to have him around," said Knutson.

"He's such a positive kid. Always has a smile on his face, always encouraging (others). He's talking to them all the time."

Swift's presence at practices - and meets - has been an inspiration for all. He's always willing to deliver a high-five to anyone who wants one from his motorized wheelchair. He's not shy about cheering, either.

"Just his personality; he's always positive," said Columbia Falls freshman wrestler - and close friend - Cody Kolodejchuk.

"If he has something on his mind, he will tell you about it. You don't have to worry about him hiding anything.

"To be honest with you, he probably knows more about wrestling than I do," Kolodejchuk went on.

"That's the way he is with all sports.

"Everyone likes him, the whole school knows who he is.

"For me, it is (special). I'm real close to him. Afterwards he can tell me what I was doing wrong."

Kolodejchuk, who wrestles at 105 pounds, says whenever the two of them are together, everything seems perfect.

"We're always happy, no negativity in the air," he said.

Niko is not his real name, just a nickname he acquired from his mother.

"I got it (Niko) from watching a Steven Seagal movie," admitted Rosanna.

And she thought it fit her son perfectly.

His given name is Dominique. He was named after NBA great Dominique Wilkins.

Rosanna, a graduate of Columbia Falls High School, played volleyball, basketball and golf for the Wildkats.

Swift's stepfather, Keyvin Fagerland, also was a three- sport athlete - at Flathead High School. He was a running back for the Braves' football team, a guard on the basketball squad and cleared 13-6 in the pole vault in track.

So it's easy to see why athletics are an integral part of life at the Fagerland household.

Then there are Swift's cousins, Libby mat veterans Keevin and Steve Bertelsen. Keevin won a Class A state heavyweight title his senior season last year.

Steve, a sophomore, currently wrestles at 145.

Swift has even spent time in the past at the home of Libby wrestling coach Jay Graham and his wife Judy.

Swift also has two younger brothers who are already on the mats - Jayce is in the second grade and Bryce is in kindergarten - and an older sister, Shanelle, a junior in high school.

"We're a wrestling family," he said.

Shanelle competes in volleyball and track.

Columbia Falls had a wrestling dual this year in Libby and Swift made his first ever road trip with the Mat Cats.

A special safety belt was rigged up for Swift on one of the seats in the bus.

"It was fun," he said.

"Even though I sat up with the coaches.

"I fell asleep on the way over there," he laughed.

He says he would have much rather been in the back of the bus with the wrestlers.

"It was hard for me," said Swift of cheering at that dual.

"I couldn't cheer because I know everybody on both teams."

"He gives something to the whole team, that's for sure," said Keyvin of Swift.

"He knows how hard these guys work. In return, they know how hard he works."

Keyvin says his stepson is very knowledgeable when it come to all sports.

"Except for tennis," said Swift.

Wrestling has been Swift's favorite sport from the beginning.

"I just like it more," he said.

"The one-on-one contact. It's a team sport, but (also) one-on-one."

He figures he would compete in the 140-pound weight class if he was able to wrestle.

When it comes to football, playing linebacker would be his choice position.

He'd be a shooting guard on the basketball team.

On the diamond - a shortstop.

"You're always moving," said Swift.

"That's where the action is," added Keyvin.

"Yep!," said Swift.

"Life would be boring (without sports), wouldn't it Niko?" said Rosanna.