Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Gavin Rinker backhands a ball in the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament April 25.

Tennis: Sgro/Jacobs advance to state

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Panther men’s tennis will be represented at the State Individual Tournament. On the first week of May, Sammy Gunter’s team had a busy slate of matches, including the first round of the Dual Team State Playoffs and the 3A West Individual Tournament.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s men’s and women’s track and field teams are pictured after sweeping the Mountain Seven Conference Championship meet at North Henderson May 2.

Track & Field wins M7C Championship

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Panther track and field are champions of the Mountain Seven Conference. At the M7C Championship Meet at North Henderson May 2, the conference’s best athletes gathered to divvy up bragging rights for the outdoor season.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior third baseman Reed Raby tags a West Henderson base runner out at McConnell Field April 25.

Panther baseball falls to West, Enka

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

On Tuesday, April 25, the Panthers welcomed West to McConnell Field for a battle with the 17-3 Falcons. There, Franklin’s offense made contact in the first, getting back-to-back first-pitch singles from junior shortstop Ian Knepp and senior catcher Davis Anders.

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Track and Field ready for M7C

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Another regular season is in the books for Panther track and field. At the Swain County High School Invitational April 26, Franklin faced their final meet until the Mountain Seven Conference Championships, giving athletes one last chance to hone their crafts before the postseason.

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Softball team leads M7C

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Panther softball leads the Mountain Seven with one more conference game to play. On the week of April 24, Bobby Bishop’s team faced just two winnable games, in M7C meetings with Smoky Mountain and North Henderson.

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Panther golf team scores spot in regionals

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Panther men’s golf is headed to regionals. At the third and final round of the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament April 25 at Springdale, Ryan Raby’s team met their rivals once again to decide a conference champion.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Panthers doubles team Jack Sgro and Mica Jacobs head to regionals as the No. 1 seed.

Tennis advances to postseason play

Will Woolever

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Panther men’s tennis will compete in the postseason. At the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament April 24-25, Gavin Rinker and doubles pair Jack Sgro/Mica Jacobs placed among the top four entrants in their brackets, punching their tickets to the 3A West Regional in Hickory May 5-6.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior shortstop Ian Knepp throws to first versus A.C. Reynolds April 19 at McConnell Field.

Baseball splits with Smoky

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

After a tough first two games, Panther baseball ended the week on a high note. On April 18, Franklin kicked off a busy four-day stretch, including a Mountain Seven series with Smoky Mountain and a meeting with A.C. Reynolds.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman pitcher Kendall Rumans throws to senior Tessa Dehart at first in Franklin’s 12-5 victory over Tuscola April 18.

Softball wins 10 straight

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Panther softball is in the Mountain Seven Conference driver’s seat. After falling to Tuscola March 15, Franklin spent the next month looking up at the Mountaineers, stuck at half a game back in the standings despite a three-week, eight-game win streak.

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Tennis finishes second in M7C

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Panther men’s tennis are Mountain Seven runners-up. On the last week of the regular season, Franklin faced three conference matches, including home meetings with Smoky Mountain and Pisgah and a trip to first-place West Henderson.