Sports

Sophomore Kamden Reis competes in the long jump at Western Carolina University March 7. (Press file photo)

Sophomore Kamden Reis competes in the long jump at Western Carolina University March 7. (Press file photo)

Track impresses at Reynolds

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
One of the biggest meets of the year is in the books for Panther track and field. Over Franklin’s Spring Break holiday April 5, those who remained in town traveled to A.C. Reynolds for the annual Blue Ridge Classic.
Junior goalkeeper Carramia Ramos punches a ball from danger at Smoky Mountain March 31. (Press photos/Will Woolever)

Junior goalkeeper Carramia Ramos punches a ball from danger at Smoky Mountain March 31. (Press photos/Will Woolever)

Girls soccer looks strong at halfway point

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Halfway through the season, Panther women’s soccer is on solid ground. Now in its second year under head varsity coach Sam Vargas, the program’s efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with young varsity and JV teams improving steadily.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton slides safely into home plate during Franklin’s 12-run win at Smoky Mountain April 1.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton slides safely into home plate during Franklin’s 12-run win at Smoky Mountain April 1.

Baseball earns blowout wins

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Panther baseball is back on track. After a tough series with North Henderson the previous week, over Spring Break the young Franklin team remained hard at work, playing back-to-back games with Smoky Mountain and Hayesville.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Senior Daisy Altamirano heads a ball versus Pisgah March 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Senior Daisy Altamirano heads a ball versus Pisgah March 24.

Soccer earns first M7 win over North

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Panther women’s soccer has earned its first conference win. After routing Mitchell 9-0 for their first win of the year, the team embarked on a three-match road trip March 7-17 before returning home on the week of March 24.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Senior Gavin Rinker hits a groundstroke versus Tuscola March 26.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Senior Gavin Rinker hits a groundstroke versus Tuscola March 26.

Tennis wins three straight in busy week

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Panther men’s tennis is back on track. Following a difficult two-week stretch in mid-March, losing three straight contests with top singles player Gavin Rinker sidelined, on the week of March 24 Franklin geared up for a busy slate.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior Braylen Dulicai tracks his ball’s flight at Highlands Falls Country Club March 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior Braylen Dulicai tracks his ball’s flight at Highlands Falls Country Club March 24.

Men’s golf eyes M7 Tournament title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Panther men’s golf is in the thick of the Mountain Seven race. In their last two weeks of the regular season the team faced a busy slate of matches, traversing WNC ahead of the start of the conference tournament.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior Ashlyn McConnell (right) celebrates with teammates at home plate after belting a three-run home run versus West Henderson March 28.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior Ashlyn McConnell (right) celebrates with teammates at home plate after belting a three-run home run versus West Henderson March 28.

Softball routs West for 1st

Will Woolever
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
The good times keep rolling for Panther softball. Entering the week of March 24 on a four-game win streak, the team geared up for another busy slate, including matchups with nine-win teams in West Henderson and Brevard.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton knocks a third-inning single versus Erwin at McConnell Field March 21. The ball is visible streaking out of frame to Sutton’s right.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton knocks a third-inning single versus Erwin at McConnell Field March 21. The ball is visible streaking out of frame to Sutton’s right.

Baseball earns thrilling comeback win over Erwin

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Panther baseball has earned a signature win. After a tough start to the season, on St. Patrick’s Day week the young team faced two more difficult tests in a Mountain Seven game with Pisgah and a nonconference clash with Erwin.
Press photo/Christian Ray - Junior Aiden Pitts serves in front of Franklin’s bench during the team’s home opener vs. T.C. Roberson March 19.

Press photo/Christian Ray - Junior Aiden Pitts serves in front of Franklin’s bench during the team’s home opener vs. T.C. Roberson March 19.

Men’s volleyball opens year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Franklin’s newest athletic team is back in action. Following their inaugural season last spring, Panther men’s volleyball has been hard at work again, playing the first matches of their 2025 campaign. In the country’s fastest-growing high school men’s sport, Franklin has had no shortage of talent.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Suzanna Cabe slides underneath a throw while stealing second base vs. Hiwassee Dam March 19.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Suzanna Cabe slides underneath a throw while stealing second base vs. Hiwassee Dam March 19.

Rumans ties career HR record for softball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Panther softball is on a tear. After routing Pisgah 7-0 March 14, the following week the team faced a unique slate of games. With three more convincing wins they extended their streak to four in a row, aided by a record-tying performance from Kendall Rumans.