Sports

Press file photo - Junior Meliah Mason sends a ball down the third-base line versus Murphy April 21 at Macon Middle School.

Press file photo - Junior Meliah Mason sends a ball down the third-base line versus Murphy April 21 at Macon Middle School.

Softball earns M7 title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Panther softball are champions of the Mountain Seven. On the last week of the regular season Franklin had less than two games left to play, including a critical showdown with second-place West Henderson.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Jozy Dehart knocks a second-inning single in Franklin’s Senior Night game versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Jozy Dehart knocks a second-inning single in Franklin’s Senior Night game versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Softball chases conference title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Panther softball is hot at the right time. In the latter half of April the team faced a busy slate of games, including four of their last six this regular season. With two wins and a third game suspended due to weather while leading 6-0, Franklin entered the last days of their campaign.
Press file photo

Press file photo

Rumans, Rauers earn statewide awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Two Panther sluggers have earned statewide honors on the diamond. Just three days after breaking Franklin’s all-time record with her 29th home run, on April 11 Kendall Rumans received a Performance of the Month award from the N.C. High School Athletic Association.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Gavin Rinker serves to Pisgah while Eli Adams guards the net in the Mountain Seven Conference Doubles Semifinals April 23.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Gavin Rinker serves to Pisgah while Eli Adams guards the net in the Mountain Seven Conference Doubles Semifinals April 23.

Tennis takes 2nd, 3rd in M7C

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Panther men’s tennis boasts two of the region’s top pairs. At the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament April 23-24, Franklin’s top six players competed for individual titles, as well as berths to the 3A West Regionals this Friday.
Photo submitted

Photo submitted

Smoky Mountain Competition Cheer wins big

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Two teams from the Smoky Mountain Competition Cheer Program competed at the U.S. Finals Cheer & Dance Competition in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on April 5. Teams from all over the U.S. were represented at the competition.
White Team player Abby Brogden celebrates with her partner, McKayla Sanders, after making a shot in the sixth annual UNIFY game March 27. (Press file photo)

White Team player Abby Brogden celebrates with her partner, McKayla Sanders, after making a shot in the sixth annual UNIFY game March 27. (Press file photo)

Panthers earn two Commissioner’s Trophies

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Panther athletics have achieved an extraordinary feat. Recently, the N.C. High School Athletic Association released their Commissioner’s Trophy recipients for 2024-25, honoring eight service projects by member schools across the state.
Press photo/Will Woolever - An all-Panther heat competes in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at Franklin’s first home track meet in six years April 19. From left are Dylan Monzon, Josiah Sheldon, Chad Engel, Braylen Dezarn and Jonas Phillips.

Press photo/Will Woolever - An all-Panther heat competes in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at Franklin’s first home track meet in six years April 19. From left are Dylan Monzon, Josiah Sheldon, Chad Engel, Braylen Dezarn and Jonas Phillips.

Track hosts historic meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
It’s been a milestone week for Panther track and field. For the past five years, Franklin’s most successful team have competed as nomads, winning two state titles without ever hosting a home meet.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Eli Adams returns a high-bouncing shot versus Smoky Mountain April 9.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Eli Adams returns a high-bouncing shot versus Smoky Mountain April 9.

Tennis rolls into playoffs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Panther men’s tennis has entered the endgame. Upon returning from Spring Break the week of April 7, Franklin faced a busy slate of contests, including two with North Henderson and one with Smoky Mountain.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Gabe Stilwell chips out of a bunker on Hole 9 at Sky Valley Country Club April 9.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Gabe Stilwell chips out of a bunker on Hole 9 at Sky Valley Country Club April 9.

Golf wins M7 tourney 1st round

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Panther men’s golf are frontrunners in the Mountain Seven. On Wednesday, April 9, the team traveled to Sky Valley Country Club for Round 1 of the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament. With strong outings from each of its top five players, Franklin ended the day in first place.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kendall Rumans (center, holding plaque) is pictured with her softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kendall Rumans (center, holding plaque) is pictured with her softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Rumans breaks HR record

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Panther softball has a new all-time home runs leader. For the past three years Kendall Rumans has rewritten the program’s record books, setting single-season and career records in RBIs.