Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever A member of the Cincinnati Bengals evades a flag-pull from a Miami Dolphin at the Franklin Flag Football League’s first-ever scrimmage June 7. The league has drawn 180 local boys and girls, ages 5-17.

Press photo/Will Woolever A member of the Cincinnati Bengals evades a flag-pull from a Miami Dolphin at the Franklin Flag Football League’s first-ever scrimmage June 7. The league has drawn 180 local boys and girls, ages 5-17.

New flag football league draws 180 youth athletes

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
A brand new youth sports league is up and running in Macon County. For the past several years, flag football has grown rapidly across the country, offering a safer and less expensive version of America’s most popular sport.
Press photo/Will Woolever - (From foreground) Brisa Cruz, Bailey Dockery, Agatha Jestin and Adelaide Capaforte leave their starting blocks in the girls 8 & under 25-yard backstroke at the Macon County Rec Park June 6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - (From foreground) Brisa Cruz, Bailey Dockery, Agatha Jestin and Adelaide Capaforte leave their starting blocks in the girls 8 & under 25-yard backstroke at the Macon County Rec Park June 6.

FAST opens summer season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is in search of its 20th-straight conference title. For the past two decades FAST has dominated the Mountain Swim League, boasting undefeated records for the past 15 years.
Photo courtesy of Bekah Brooks. Franklin High School’s first-ever men’s volleyball team advanced to the N.C. Boys High School Volleyball Association state playoffs this spring.

Photo courtesy of Bekah Brooks. Franklin High School’s first-ever men’s volleyball team advanced to the N.C. Boys High School Volleyball Association state playoffs this spring.

FHS Men’s volleyball ends inaugural season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
A historic year is at an end for Panther volleyball. Between JV and varsity girls’ conference titles and the new boys club team’s inaugural season, Franklin volleyball czar Bekah Brooks has had a busy 2023-24.
Photo submitted. Franklin native Canyon Woodward is pictured after winning the Hoka Canyons Endurance 100-mile race in California last month. The win qualified Woodward for his third Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc race in the European Alps next August, considered the world’s most competitive ultramarathon trail race.

Photo submitted. Franklin native Canyon Woodward is pictured after winning the Hoka Canyons Endurance 100-mile race in California last month. The win qualified Woodward for his third Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc race in the European Alps next August, considered the world’s most competitive ultramarathon trail race.

Woodward wins Canyons 100-miler, prepares for UTMB

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
A Franklin native is America’s 100-mile ultra-running champion. After placing 29th at last year’s Ultra Trail du-Mont Blanc race in Europe, the world’s most competitive trail ultramarathon, Canyon Woodward recently took part in the event’s North American qualifier.
Photo courtesy of Brooke Southard. Macon Middle School softball captured its third-straight Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title this spring.

Photo courtesy of Brooke Southard. Macon Middle School softball captured its third-straight Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title this spring.

MMS softball wins BRAC title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
It’s been a good three years for Macon Middle School softball. After an unbeaten campaign in 2022 and a second-straight title last year, the Panthers entered this season as clear Blue Ridge Athletic Conference contenders.
Press photo/Will Woolever. The Class of 2024 shows off their Senior Plaques at the FHS Athletic Awards Ceremony May 23.

Press photo/Will Woolever. The Class of 2024 shows off their Senior Plaques at the FHS Athletic Awards Ceremony May 23.

Panther athletes honored at awards night

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
On May 23, Franklin High School athletes, coaches and family members gathered in the FHS Fine Arts Center for the school’s 2023-24 Athletic Awards Ceremony.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Jo Provost (left) and Lisa McDowell run to a photo finish in the 100-meter dash at the Macon County Senior Games recently. “As long as we’re still moving around and having fun,” said Provost.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Jo Provost (left) and Lisa McDowell run to a photo finish in the 100-meter dash at the Macon County Senior Games recently. “As long as we’re still moving around and having fun,” said Provost.

Macon Senior Games draw more than 100 athletes

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Another successful Macon County Senior Games is in the books. For the past 30 years, the games have brought the county’s seniors together for a friendly competition, with events ranging from swimming and cycling to cornhole, mini golf and table tennis.
Photo submitted. Panther women’s track and field is pictured at the 3A Outdoor State Championships in Greensboro May 20.

Photo submitted. Panther women’s track and field is pictured at the 3A Outdoor State Championships in Greensboro May 20.

Women’s track places 2nd in 3A

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Panther women’s track and field is the 3A state runner-up. After placing first and second, respectively at the 3A West Regional May 11, on May 20 Franklin’s women’s and men’s teams traveled to Greensboro for the state meet.
Photo submitted. (From left) Lydia Holland, track and field standout Claire Hovis, Moffitt, Cochran, track and field standout Braxton Deal, Laura Holland are pictured at the WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville May 19.

Photo submitted. (From left) Lydia Holland, track and field standout Claire Hovis, Moffitt, Cochran, track and field standout Braxton Deal, Laura Holland are pictured at the WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville May 19.

7 Panthers, 2 teams win WNC Sports Awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Panther athletes returned home with plenty of hardware from this year’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. At the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club’s 62nd annual banquet in Asheville May 19, seven Franklin athletes and two teams earned region-wide awards for their achievements, both on and off the field.