Sports

Photo courtesy of Kayla Schulte - Franklin’s Coach Pitch Softball All-Stars show off their championship banner after winning the N.C. District 5 Little League Tournament in Sylva June 28. Team members are Phoenix Wilson, Ivee Harrison, Harper Schulte, Maci Vanderpool, Kinsleigh Pendergrass, Brynnlee Shuler, Amaya Torres, Carrigan Wishon, Adaline Rholetter, Sadie Corbin, Aleah Ammons and Hannah Griffith.

Photo courtesy of Kayla Schulte - Franklin’s Coach Pitch Softball All-Stars show off their championship banner after winning the N.C. District 5 Little League Tournament in Sylva June 28. Team members are Phoenix Wilson, Ivee Harrison, Harper Schulte, Maci Vanderpool, Kinsleigh Pendergrass, Brynnlee Shuler, Amaya Torres, Carrigan Wishon, Adaline Rholetter, Sadie Corbin, Aleah Ammons and Hannah Griffith.

8U softball- District 5 champs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Franklin’s 8U softball All-Stars are district champs. After winning the N.C. District 5 Little League title, the team traveled to Lake Norman July 5-8 for the State Tournament. With a blowout win and two narrow losses, they brought a memorable season to an end.
McKenna Plemmons attempts a 3-point shot versus West Henderson Jan. 14. In a rematch with the Falcons three weeks later, the senior broke a Panther single-game record with eight makes from behind the arc. (Press file photo)

McKenna Plemmons attempts a 3-point shot versus West Henderson Jan. 14. In a rematch with the Falcons three weeks later, the senior broke a Panther single-game record with eight makes from behind the arc. (Press file photo)

McClure signs with Roane

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Panther women’s hoops will have a new group of leaders next year. After a 17-10 season and a conference tournament title for Franklin, Mountain Seven coaches met for their annual postseason meeting, naming three Panthers to the All-Conference team and another as Honorable Mention.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Naomi Walker compete in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 3.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Naomi Walker compete in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 3.

FAST completes 17th straight unbeaten season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has continued an incredible streak. For the past two decades the Fins have controlled the Mountain Swim League, capturing their 20th straight league title last year.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s 12U baseball All-Stars show off their District 5 Champion banner after routing Blue Ridge at Parker Meadows July 1.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s 12U baseball All-Stars show off their District 5 Champion banner after routing Blue Ridge at Parker Meadows July 1.

12U baseball wins district title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Franklin’s Major League baseball All-Stars are district champs. Starting June 23, the area’s best 10-12-year-old players traveled to Brevard for the N.C. District 5 Tournament, locking horns with seven other teams from across WNC.
Photo submitted

Photo submitted

Track standouts attend Adidas Outdoor Nationals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Several Panther track and field standouts battled top competition recently. From June 20-22, team members traveled to Greensboro for the Adidas Outdoor Nationals, locking horns with opponents from across the Eastern Seaboard.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Minor League Baseball’s Judah Savaiko makes a diving catch versus Blue Ridge June 24

Press photo/Will Woolever - Minor League Baseball’s Judah Savaiko makes a diving catch versus Blue Ridge June 24

Little League All-Stars complete district tournaments

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Franklin’s N.C. District 5 Little League All-Star tournaments are in the books, following two weeks of competition including several games at the Parker Meadows Complex.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Allison Stockton race to a photo finish in the girls 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 26.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Allison Stockton race to a photo finish in the girls 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 26.

FAST blows out SMAC, CCAC

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is nearing another unbeaten season. On June 26 the FAST Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park, hosting the Smoky Mountain (Waynesville) and Cherokee County Aquatic Clubs.
Photo/Bob Scott - Braveheart 5K runners take off from the starting line in front of Town Hall June 14.

Photo/Bob Scott - Braveheart 5K runners take off from the starting line in front of Town Hall June 14.

Braveheart 5K raises funds for Tartans Museum

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Another Braveheart 5K & Rob Roy Fun Run is in the books. At Town Hall June 14, runners from across the southeast took part in the annual event, benefitting the Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center. Below are the 5K’s top finishers from each age group along with their times.
(1) Press photo - Will Woolever

(1) Press photo - Will Woolever

Little League All-Stars host district tournaments

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
It was a busy weekend at the Parker Meadows Complex. Starting June 20, Franklin’s Little League softball and baseball All-Star teams kicked off their respective district tournaments, including multiple games on their home fields.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Joel Fausnaugh (foreground) races Jackson County’s Cail Lord-Siler to a photo finish in the boys 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 19.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Joel Fausnaugh (foreground) races Jackson County’s Cail Lord-Siler to a photo finish in the boys 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 19.

FAST routs Cherokee, Jackson

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is halfway through its regular season. On June 19, the FAST Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host the Jackson County Swim Team and Cherokee County Aquatic Club. With their third straight win Franklin stands just two more away from an unbeaten season.