Sports

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Epps - Local boxer Jeffrey Epps (left) spars with student Jameson Wilson during a class at Kavod Fitness. Epps recently won the first two fights of his amateur heavyweight career.

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Epps - Local boxer Jeffrey Epps (left) spars with student Jameson Wilson during a class at Kavod Fitness. Epps recently won the first two fights of his amateur heavyweight career.

Local boxing coach wins amateur debut

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Franklin’s preeminent boxer has entered the world of competitive fighting. For the past several years Jeffrey Epps has been the sport’s top local proponent, coaching students at Kavod Fitness and training to compete himself.
Press file photo - Kendall Rumans swings at a pitch versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Press file photo - Kendall Rumans swings at a pitch versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Rumans recounts historic season, Part 2

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
It’s been a good year for Kendall Rumans. Between leading Panther softball to a Mountain Seven Conference title and breaking career team records in home runs and RBIs, the junior turned in one of the greatest seasons in program history.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Appalachian Ultimate Frisbee Club members Elijah Moore (left) and Chris McConnell track a frisbee into the end zone at Parker Meadows July 13.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Appalachian Ultimate Frisbee Club members Elijah Moore (left) and Chris McConnell track a frisbee into the end zone at Parker Meadows July 13.

Ulimate frisbee club takes flight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Franklin’s athletes have a new team sport to play. For the past decade-plus, ultimate frisbee has exploded in popularity across the country, attracting players with fast-paced excitement and accessible rules/equipment. For the past several months, a new local club has been gathering steam.
Photo courtesy of Rich Storry - World’s Strongest Man Franklin native Thomas Evans is pictured at this year’s World’s Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California.

Photo courtesy of Rich Storry - World’s Strongest Man Franklin native Thomas Evans is pictured at this year’s World’s Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California.

Evans joins world’s strongest men

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
A Franklin native is continuing his climb to the top of the world strongman rankings. For the past several years Thomas Evans has been hard at work, travelling the globe in search of its biggest competitions.
Press file Photo - Senior Jozy Dehart knocks a second-inning single in Franklin’s Senior Night game versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Press file Photo - Senior Jozy Dehart knocks a second-inning single in Franklin’s Senior Night game versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Seven named to All-Conference softball team

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Panther softball should have plenty of talent next spring. After an excellent 2025 including a Mountain Seven title for Franklin, the conference’s coaches met for their annual postseason meeting.
Press file photo - Kendall Rumans is pictured with her Panther softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Press file photo - Kendall Rumans is pictured with her Panther softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Rumans recounts record-breaking hitting season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
It’s been a good year for Kendall Rumans. Between leading Panther softball to a Mountain Seven Conference title and breaking career team records in home runs and RBIs, the junior turned in one of the great seasons in program history.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Madelyn Kennedy (left) and Leila Pinkston (second from bottom) swim a close race in the girls 11-12 50-yard breastroke at the Mountain Swimn League All-Star meet July 19.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Madelyn Kennedy (left) and Leila Pinkston (second from bottom) swim a close race in the girls 11-12 50-yard breastroke at the Mountain Swimn League All-Star meet July 19.

FAST ends season at All-Stars

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Franklin Amatuer Swim Team has completed another stellar season. A week after claiming their 21st straight title at the Mountain Swim League Championships, on July 19 FAST’s best swimmers traveled to Cullowhee for the All-Star meet.
Pendergrass evades a tag at home plate versus East Henderson at Macon Middle School April 8 (Press file photo).

Pendergrass evades a tag at home plate versus East Henderson at Macon Middle School April 8 (Press file photo).

5 named All-State on diamond

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Franklin had plenty of talent on the diamond this year. Recently, the N.C. Baseball and Softball Coaches Associations released their annual list of 3A All-State honorees, including four players from Panther softball and one from Panther baseball.
Sophomore Will Rauers pitches to West Henderson April 11. (Press file photo)

Sophomore Will Rauers pitches to West Henderson April 11. (Press file photo)

3 named All-M7C in baseball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Panther baseball should have plenty of talent returning next spring. After Franklin won nine of their last 11 games to earn a state playoff berth this spring, Mountain Seven coaches met for their annual postseason meeting.
Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - FAST swimmers leave their starting blocks for the girls 15-18 100-yard freestyle at the Mountain Swim League Championship Meet July 12 at the Macon County Rec Park.

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - FAST swimmers leave their starting blocks for the girls 15-18 100-yard freestyle at the Mountain Swim League Championship Meet July 12 at the Macon County Rec Park.

FAST wins 21st MSL title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has earned their 21st straight league title. One week after completing their 17th straight unbeaten regular season, on Saturday, July 12, the team returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host the Mountain Swim League Championships.