Sports

Alyssa Awtrey (right) is mobbed by teammates at home plate after belting a tw-run homer versus Murphy March 4. (Press file photo)

Alyssa Awtrey (right) is mobbed by teammates at home plate after belting a tw-run homer versus Murphy March 4. (Press file photo)

Seven named All-M8C for softball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
It was another good year for Panther softball.After an 18-8 season ending in Round 2 of the state playoffs, seven Panthers were recently named to the All-Mountain Eight Conference team, including five First Team selections and two Honorable Mentions.
Knox Strum (foreground) and David Hernandez swim a close race in the boys 11-12 100-yard individual medley at the Macon County Rec Park July 2. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Knox Strum (foreground) and David Hernandez swim a close race in the boys 11-12 100-yard individual medley at the Macon County Rec Park July 2. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

FAST routs Waynesville

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team’s campaign is in the home stretch.On July 2, the Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host Waynesville in their fourth Mountain Swim League meet.
Conference Field Event MVP Kamden Reis competes in the long jump during the Mountain Eight Outdoor Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press file photo)

Conference Field Event MVP Kamden Reis competes in the long jump during the Mountain Eight Outdoor Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press file photo)

Track and field impresses at Nationals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Franklin track and field has impressed on the national stage.From June 18-21, a select group of Panthers traveled to Greensboro for the Adidas Spring National meet, featuring thousands of youth athletes from across the country. There they finished among some of the nation’s best.
Overall female winner Chelsea Ellwood of Cullowhee nears the finish line in the Braveheart 5K. (Photo/Bob Scott)

Overall female winner Chelsea Ellwood of Cullowhee nears the finish line in the Braveheart 5K. (Photo/Bob Scott)

Braveheart 5K raises funds for Tartans Museum

Will Woolever
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Another Braveheart 5K & Rob Roy Fun Run is in the books.Starting downtown June 20, runners from across the southeast took part in the annual event, benefitting the Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Center. Below are the 5K’s top finishers from each age group along with their times.
Boys aged 9-10 compete in the 50-yard backstroke for the Franklin Amateur Swim Team June 25. Pictured from foreground are Grayson Jessup, Samuel Hurst and Xzavier Rios. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Boys aged 9-10 compete in the 50-yard backstroke for the Franklin Amateur Swim Team June 25. Pictured from foreground are Grayson Jessup, Samuel Hurst and Xzavier Rios. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

FAST defeats Jackson

Will Woolever
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
On June 25, the Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host Jackson County in their third Mountain Swim League meet. With a blowout win FAST entered the second half of their campaign, extending their 17-plus-year unbeaten streak.
Junior Cailen Chavis drives into the lane versus Highlands. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Junior Cailen Chavis drives into the lane versus Highlands. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Hoops host final Summer League games

Will Woolever
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Panther hoops' Summer League schedule is at an end. On the week of June 22, Franklin played their last offseason scrimmages, hosting WNC rivals on Tom Raby Court.The Panther girls held a full day of games June 23, including Hayesville, Highlands, Murphy and Rabun County, Georgia.
Eventual Limited Late Model feature winner Shawn Chastain of Murphy turns practice laps at Tri-County. (Photo courtesy of Deango Motorsports Photography)

Eventual Limited Late Model feature winner Shawn Chastain of Murphy turns practice laps at Tri-County. (Photo courtesy of Deango Motorsports Photography)

McCoy takes win at Tri-County Racetrack

News Staff
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
BRASSTOWN, NC — A quick shower rolled through the North Georgia mountains on Friday, June 12, but it couldn’t dampen the excitement at Tri-County Racetrack.
Girls aged 11-12 swim a close race under a downpour in the 200-yard individual medley June 18. Pictured from foreground are Annabelle Searles of Highlands, Hanna Samuelson of Franklin and Nyah Rivera of Franklin. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Girls aged 11-12 swim a close race under a downpour in the 200-yard individual medley June 18. Pictured from foreground are Annabelle Searles of Highlands, Hanna Samuelson of Franklin and Nyah Rivera of Franklin. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

FAST defeats Highlands

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team have defeated their in-county rivals.After routing Jackson and Cherokee counties in their Mountain Swim League opener, the Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park June 18, hosting the Highlands Hurricanes in the pouring rain.
Hannah Griffith (center) is mobbed by teammates at home plate after belting a two-run homer to left field for the Franklin Coach Pitch Softball All-Stars versus Great Smokies.(Press photos/Will Woolever)

Hannah Griffith (center) is mobbed by teammates at home plate after belting a two-run homer to left field for the Franklin Coach Pitch Softball All-Stars versus Great Smokies.(Press photos/Will Woolever)

Little League hosts district tournaments

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Franklin's Little League baseball and softball district tournaments are underway. From June 19-22, the town's Minor League Softball, Minor League Baseball and Coach Pitch Softball All-Star teams hosted their WNC rivals in Pool Play games at the Parker Meadows complex.
Jonas Phillips (right) competes in the 300-meter hurdles during the Mountain Eight Conference Championship meet at North Henderson April 30. (Press file photo)

Jonas Phillips (right) competes in the 300-meter hurdles during the Mountain Eight Conference Championship meet at North Henderson April 30. (Press file photo)

Phillips prepares for nationals, college

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
A state gold medalist’s career is at an end.After a solid first three years for Panther track and field, Jonas Phillips burst onto the scene as a senior, winning a 5A title in the 300-meter hurdles. Recently, the Wofford College commit discussed his breakout campaign.