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Tess McNally

Graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Digital Journalism and a minor in Psychology. Served as the Associate Sports Editor for the Appalachian for 1 year, and previously a sports reporter for 2 years. 

During my time at the Appalachian I have published just over 50 articles specializing in live game coverage and feature writing on athletes.

Feature Writing

The Appalachian •

‘Outside the club realm’: App State club hockey breaks the ice

At 4 a.m., Boone is asleep, but the App State club hockey team is just rolling into town after concluding its night of practice. 
Once a week, players take the 114-mile drive to Greensboro to get on the ice just past midnight. Ninety minutes later, the team packs up and heads home, knowing their alarms will ring in just a few hours to begin classes.
“It’s a busy life; there’s no stopping,” head coach Matt Mugno said. 
Mugno grew up playing roller hockey and started youth coaching at the age of 1...
The Appalachian •

Dominic De Freitas kick starts his Mountaineer legacy

It was a bone-chilling 18 degrees outside with snow on the ground and a freezing wind in the air. App State’s special teams coordinator, Jeff Crosby, made the long trip to NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana. 
“He went 14 of 15 field goals, and I knew right then, he was the guy,” Crosby said. 
Freshman kicker Dominic De Freitas was the player of interest. 
“I love it here; it’s definitely a new experience,” De Freitas said. “A lot to get used to.” 
Crosby held an influential role in De Fr...
The Appalachian •

Born into baseball: Joseph Zamora’s home away from home

From hot humid weather in Miami, Florida to the blistering cold climate in Boone, spring 2025 graduate infielder Joseph Zamora has made the High Country home. 
“It was baseball once I was born, and I’ve been playing it since I was five,” Joseph Zamora said. 
Joseph Zamora was born in a family full of athletes. He said his father — Freddy Zamora Sr. — and mother both played sports at an advanced level, with his father playing professional baseball in Nicaragua in the 1990s and his mother playing...
The Appalachian •

The App State dance team shows they are more than just dance

Synchronized feet tap the floor, big smiles gleam off the court and adrenaline pumps through the pom-poms the App State dance team holds as they perform to the rhythms and music played on the sideline of games. 
Previously known as the Appalettes, the App State dance team has been around for almost 40 years and is sometimes overlooked in its role in the App State spirit program.
The team has 18 members, including the four captains, and currently operates without a coach. Head cheer coach Morgan...
The Appalachian •

Kermit Smith continues to push Mountaineer legacy forward

Kermit Smith holds the title of being one of the best App State baseball coaches of all time.
Smith gets his experience as an encouraging coach from being a ball player himself in 2000 for Pfeiffer University. He played one season, then met former App State baseball coach and current Duke coach, Chris Pollard. 
In 2000, Smith was an assistant coach for Belmont-Abbey for a year. After seeing his potential and expertise as an assistant, he went on to be head coach of the American Legion post. Eigh...
The Appalachian •

App State Snowboarding Team soars to new heights

The wind in your face, the adrenaline of flying through the air and the screaming from the sidelines are just regular occurrences from App State snowboarding. 
The App State Snowboarding Team is a club sport offered through the school and open to all. The club has been around for about 8-10 years and is still running strong. 
“Do it, it’s a lot of fun,” said senior finance and banking major Brandon Holshouser. “You will meet a lot of new people and everyone is super fun to be around, just join.”...
The Appalachian •

Blocking out the competition, Justin Abson’s rise to the top

Justin Abson has proven to be an outstanding defensive player for the Black and Gold. 
Soccer was the first sport he ever played but, after attending a camp he met his first travel team coach. 
“My aunt sent me to a travel team as an early Christmas gift,” Abson said. “It took off from there.” 
Abson attended North Broward Prep for high school and head coach Dustin Kerns noticed him early. Abson was a three time Sun Sentinel All-Broward county selection. He was also honored as Second Team 4A All...
The Appalachian •

Jordan Favors finds his feet in Mountaineer football

From Griffin, Georgia to Boone, Jordan Favors has proven his title as a star safety. 
Favors originated from Griffin High School where he earned 5A Region 2 Athlete of the Year. Griffin Bears head coach, Kareem Reid, noticed him early and utilized Favors on offense and defense. During his junior year, Favors picked off three passes, totaled 43 tackles and rushed for 128 yards in 30 attempts. 
Additionally, Favors was a star shortstop and left fielder in highschool and played for numerous All-Sta...
The Appalachian •

More than the color pink: Breast cancer awareness in App State Athletics

Every year, athletes and coaches of all kinds support breast cancer awareness through pink accessories and attire, but pink is much more than just a color. Every athlete and coach has a story behind their efforts. 
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, currently 13% of Americans have breast cancer. This means one in eight women and around 500 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. To combat cancer, Susan G. Koman has raised nearly $1.1 billion in breast cancer research sinc...