Sports

Photo courtesy of McElroy Media

Photo courtesy of McElroy Media

Franklin Youth Tennis ends season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Another successful Franklin Youth Tennis League season concluded recently. Sponsored by the Franklin Youth Tennis Association (FYTA), the 40-plus players ages 8-17 worked on learning or improving all the strokes needed to be successful in tennis.
Former 12U All-Star right fielder Max Cable leaves his hat behind to make a difficult basket catch in the 2023 Little League State Tournament at Parker Meadows. (Press file photo)

Former 12U All-Star right fielder Max Cable leaves his hat behind to make a difficult basket catch in the 2023 Little League State Tournament at Parker Meadows. (Press file photo)

Little League teams prepare for district tourneys

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Franklin’s Little League baseball and softball teams are preparing for their district tournaments. Following the spring regular season, coaches recently selected Franklin’s citywide All-Star teams.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST swimmers ages 11-12 compete in the 200-yard medley relay June 12 at the Macon County Rec Park. From left are Naomi Green, Wylie Hinton and Larken Lynch.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST swimmers ages 11-12 compete in the 200-yard medley relay June 12 at the Macon County Rec Park. From left are Naomi Green, Wylie Hinton and Larken Lynch.

FAST defeats Salamanders

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has earned another win. Having defeated Highlands in their season opener the previous week, on June 12 the team returned to the Macon County Rec Park. In routing Waynesville’s Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club, the FAST Fins improved to 2-0 this regular season.
First period BFS award winners (from left): Addie Deal, Sabrina Pooler, Juliona Garber, Ryleigh McConnell, Victoria Dugas, Brianna Quinn, Leeona Stiwinter, Jeydy Lobos. Not pictured: Jordan Westerman, Gabriela Roca.

First period BFS award winners (from left): Addie Deal, Sabrina Pooler, Juliona Garber, Ryleigh McConnell, Victoria Dugas, Brianna Quinn, Leeona Stiwinter, Jeydy Lobos. Not pictured: Jordan Westerman, Gabriela Roca.

Bigger, Faster, Stronger gives end-of-year awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Franklin High School’s girls grew Bigger, Faster and Stronger this year. As part of coach Anna Shields’ regular BFS class, female students practice physical fitness, weight training and mental toughness, including a 30-minute run without walking once per week.
Press photo/Will Woolever

Press photo/Will Woolever

Greenwood’s #9 jersey to be retired

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
One of Franklin’s all-time greats will be immortalized this fall. At the school’s Athletic Awards Ceremony May 22, former baseball catcher and current head coach Jared Greenwood received the department’s most prestigious honor, learning that his #9 jersey will be retired.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Emma Tyte (foreground) and Camila Gomez swim to a photo finish in the girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle at the Franklin Amateur Swim Team’s season opener June 5.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Emma Tyte (foreground) and Camila Gomez swim to a photo finish in the girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle at the Franklin Amateur Swim Team’s season opener June 5.

FAST opens summer season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is back in action. Having won their 20th straight Mountain Swim League Championship last year, on June 5 the FAST Fins opened their new summer season at the Macon County Rec Park.
Photo courtesy of Juan Morales - Panther JV women’s soccer is pictured on their home field after a 3-0 win over rival West Henderson April 16.

Photo courtesy of Juan Morales - Panther JV women’s soccer is pictured on their home field after a 3-0 win over rival West Henderson April 16.

JV soccer ends year unbeaten

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Panther JV women’s soccer has completed an unbeaten season. After a 6-1-1 campaign last year, Franklin was even more ambitious this spring, playing a jam-packed schedule of 13 games. In finishing with 12 wins and zero losses, the team turned in perhaps its best season in history.
Photo courtesy of Josiah Brendel - Macon Middle School boys track and field is pictured with their championship plaque after the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title meet at Apple Valley Middle School.

Photo courtesy of Josiah Brendel - Macon Middle School boys track and field is pictured with their championship plaque after the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title meet at Apple Valley Middle School.

MMS track wins 2nd BRAC title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
It’s been a good two years for Macon Middle School boys track and field. After winning the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference last year, the Panthers entered 2025 as the program to beat.
Members of Panther outdoor track and field are pictured with their Division I Female Olympic Sport Team of the Year plaque. From left: Aubrey Haley, Michelle Ortega and Laura Covarrubias.

Members of Panther outdoor track and field are pictured with their Division I Female Olympic Sport Team of the Year plaque. From left: Aubrey Haley, Michelle Ortega and Laura Covarrubias.

Panthers bring home WNC Sports Awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Franklin was well-represented at this year’s WNC Sports Awards. On May 25, the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club hosted its 63rd annual banquet at Asheville’s Omni Grove Park Inn, honoring the region’s best high school athletes.
Press file photo

Press file photo

Rauers, Rumans among WNC Players of the Year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Franklin boasted two of the region’s top players on the diamond this spring. Recently, the Asheville Citizen Times polled readers on WNC’s best athletes, including 20 of the area’s brightest baseball and softball stars.