Sports

Photo/Alyssa Burk - Ruby Red cheerleaders practice a routine inside New Vision Training Center in Franklin.

Photo/Alyssa Burk - Ruby Red cheerleaders practice a routine inside New Vision Training Center in Franklin.

Youth sports back in action

Will Woolever
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Macon County’s fall youth sports are beginning their return from lockdown. As the COVID-19 pandemic cast doubt on sports seasons from peewee to professional this year, many wondered when athletes might be able to return to the field.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS seniors Ethan and Nathan Stamey run during a recent cross country practice.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS seniors Ethan and Nathan Stamey run during a recent cross country practice.

Pandemic sows doubt for seniors

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic transforms the fall 2020 sports season, it has left players, staff and officials uncertain as to what this year’s changes may mean. Fans wonder when and even if they will have a season. Players wonder what that season might look like if it happens.
Photo submitted - The 1992 girls cross country team proudly displayed their plaques and trophies garnered during their state-championship winning season. From left: assistant coach Steve Philo, Amy Berger, Stephanie Hyder, Kristy Henson, Nikki Pons, Corie Fuchs, Marla Getford, Erica Riendeau, Jennifer Wiggins, Jessa Brown, head coach David Morgan. Not pictured: Emily Beller, Derrah Ledford.

Photo submitted - The 1992 girls cross country team proudly displayed their plaques and trophies garnered during their state-championship winning season. From left: assistant coach Steve Philo, Amy Berger, Stephanie Hyder, Kristy Henson, Nikki Pons, Corie Fuchs, Marla Getford, Erica Riendeau, Jennifer Wiggins, Jessa Brown, head coach David Morgan. Not pictured: Emily Beller, Derrah Ledford.

2020 Hall of Fame inductees

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com Athletes from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, plus a community member who covered games for the radio station, were selected to join the latest class for the Franklin Athletic Hall of Fame.  This is the ninth HOF class.
Press file photo - Bennett Swafford earned all-conference honors his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, and would’ve likely competed for player of the year honors this spring had the season not been halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Press file photo - Bennett Swafford earned all-conference honors his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, and would’ve likely competed for player of the year honors this spring had the season not been halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Steady golfer lands DII offer

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Bennett Swafford exceeded his own expectations.  After his junior year of playing golf at Franklin High School, when he earned a third all-conference honor, Swafford wasn’t getting any attention from college programs.
Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin High School athletic director Blair King (right) and assistant athletic director Ryan Haley record a video presentation May 20 at Backlot Cinema for the annual Athletic Awards ceremony.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin High School athletic director Blair King (right) and assistant athletic director Ryan Haley record a video presentation May 20 at Backlot Cinema for the annual Athletic Awards ceremony.

Franklin athletes recognized for 2019-20

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Like most meetings and gatherings these days, the Franklin Athletic Awards ceremony went virtual.  FHS athletic director Blair King and assistant AD Ryan Haley recorded the ceremony last week at Backlot Cinemas.
Press file photo - Makayla Brewer earned multiple all-conference honors for McDowell and Franklin.

Press file photo - Makayla Brewer earned multiple all-conference honors for McDowell and Franklin.

Brewer exudes a ‘calming presence’

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Makayla Brewer figured her basketball-playing days were over. She finished her senior season at Franklin, culminating a career in the sport that she began playing competitively in kindergarten.  “I kind of lost my passion for it, honestly,” Brewer said.
Press file photo - Rhiley Bryson made 1,344 digs during her three-year varsity career.

Press file photo - Rhiley Bryson made 1,344 digs during her three-year varsity career.

Bryson will miss volleyball ‘family’

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Rhiley Bryson describes herself as “boney.” Not having much cushion when hitting the hardwood floor means she has plenty of battle wounds from diving for balls while playing volleyball.
Press file photo - Juan Gomez possesses a “rocket left foot” according to Franklin soccer coach Matt Kolodzik, which will serve him well at the next level.

Press file photo - Juan Gomez possesses a “rocket left foot” according to Franklin soccer coach Matt Kolodzik, which will serve him well at the next level.

Friends join forces at JUCO

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Juan Gomez and Cris Chavez have known each other since they were 10. They’re good friends, and as such, they’re very competitive with one another.  At the start of their senior season in the fall of 2019, Gomez opened with a hat trick.
Press file photo - Fall is the next time organized baseball might take place after Macon County canceled its spring season.

Press file photo - Fall is the next time organized baseball might take place after Macon County canceled its spring season.

Cancellation of sports affects 800 youth

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
They held out hope for two months. But as the coronavirus pandemic rages on, organizers deemed it’s still unsafe to attempt playing youth sports.
Press file photo - Chris Hartbarger, a 6-foot-7 center, will join Warren Wilson College to continue his basketball career and pursue a pre-med degree.

Press file photo - Chris Hartbarger, a 6-foot-7 center, will join Warren Wilson College to continue his basketball career and pursue a pre-med degree.

Center yet to reach his peak

Andy Scheidler
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Chris Hartbarger was over 6 feet tall when he was in sixth grade. He grew another 3-4 inches as a seventh-grader.  Now, the Franklin senior stands 6-7.  Some people might not enjoy being so much taller than their peers growing up, but not Hartbarger.