(FROM THE NCHSAA) - Harvey Reid was a basketball coach who made major contributions to the tradition of high school sports in the state of North Carolina. Roper has made a similar impact and has coached baseball, football, wrestling, and, most notably, track and field.
In wrestling, Ian Started the women’s wrestling programs at Topsail in 2001 and Swain County in 2009. His team won six consecutive conference championships at Topsail with a conference record of 60-0 during that time and He has coached 167 state qualifiers, 87 state placers, and 11 state champions.
In track and field, he has coached 514 state qualifiers, 297 state placers in the top four and has produced 85 state champions. He led Topsail High School Track and Field to their first ever state title in track and field and has guided the Swain County girls’ team to five state tiles in 2016 and 2021 – 2024, as well as the Swain County boys’ team to a state title in 2024. He has earned Conference Coach of the Year honors 13 times, has been selected as 1A track and field Coach of the Year seven times, and was honored by the NFHS in 2021 as the girls track and field Coach of the Year. His service and leadership to young people have been significant.