Sports

Photo courtesy of Lynn Baker - Panther cheer and dance shows of their Top Banana award at the Universal Cheerleaders’ Association team camp in Concord recently.

Photo courtesy of Lynn Baker - Panther cheer and dance shows of their Top Banana award at the Universal Cheerleaders’ Association team camp in Concord recently.

Cheer named top team at UCA camp

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Before the school year even starts, Panther cheer and dance is racking up hardware. On the week of July 28, the team traveled to Great Wolf Lodge in Concord for its annual Universal Cheerleaders Association team camp, attracting squads from across the Southeast for four days of intensive training.
(Press photo/Will Woolever) Then-junior Addix Sutton finds room to run in Franklin’s state playoff football game at Statesville last November.

(Press photo/Will Woolever) Then-junior Addix Sutton finds room to run in Franklin’s state playoff football game at Statesville last November.

Panthers prepare for fall season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
The 2025-26 season is at hand. Ahead of their first official contests Aug. 11, Franklin’s fall sports teams have been hard at work in preparation, training, practicing and scrimmaging other teams throughout the summer.
(Press photo/Will Woolever) Gale Helix uses the rowing machine at MoveMore Fitness recently during a private session with gym owner Matt Harlfinger.

(Press photo/Will Woolever) Gale Helix uses the rowing machine at MoveMore Fitness recently during a private session with gym owner Matt Harlfinger.

Helix overcomes injuries, defies adversity

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
A local septuagenarian is inspiring fellow gymgoers. As the matriarch of MoveMore Fitness, Gale Helix has spent the past several years defying the odds, continuing to thrive decades longer than doctors thought she’d live. Far from a medical miracle however, she says her secret is simple.
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Epps - Local boxer Jeffrey Epps (left) spars with student Jameson Wilson during a class at Kavod Fitness. Epps recently won the first two fights of his amateur heavyweight career.

Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Epps - Local boxer Jeffrey Epps (left) spars with student Jameson Wilson during a class at Kavod Fitness. Epps recently won the first two fights of his amateur heavyweight career.

Local boxing coach wins amateur debut

Will Woolever
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Franklin’s preeminent boxer has entered the world of competitive fighting. For the past several years Jeffrey Epps has been the sport’s top local proponent, coaching students at Kavod Fitness and training to compete himself.
Press file photo - Kendall Rumans swings at a pitch versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Press file photo - Kendall Rumans swings at a pitch versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Rumans recounts historic season, Part 2

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
It’s been a good year for Kendall Rumans. Between leading Panther softball to a Mountain Seven Conference title and breaking career team records in home runs and RBIs, the junior turned in one of the greatest seasons in program history.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Appalachian Ultimate Frisbee Club members Elijah Moore (left) and Chris McConnell track a frisbee into the end zone at Parker Meadows July 13.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Appalachian Ultimate Frisbee Club members Elijah Moore (left) and Chris McConnell track a frisbee into the end zone at Parker Meadows July 13.

Ulimate frisbee club takes flight

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Franklin’s athletes have a new team sport to play. For the past decade-plus, ultimate frisbee has exploded in popularity across the country, attracting players with fast-paced excitement and accessible rules/equipment. For the past several months, a new local club has been gathering steam.
Photo courtesy of Rich Storry - World’s Strongest Man Franklin native Thomas Evans is pictured at this year’s World’s Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California.

Photo courtesy of Rich Storry - World’s Strongest Man Franklin native Thomas Evans is pictured at this year’s World’s Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California.

Evans joins world’s strongest men

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
A Franklin native is continuing his climb to the top of the world strongman rankings. For the past several years Thomas Evans has been hard at work, travelling the globe in search of its biggest competitions.
Press file Photo - Senior Jozy Dehart knocks a second-inning single in Franklin’s Senior Night game versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Press file Photo - Senior Jozy Dehart knocks a second-inning single in Franklin’s Senior Night game versus Smoky Mountain April 24.

Seven named to All-Conference softball team

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Panther softball should have plenty of talent next spring. After an excellent 2025 including a Mountain Seven title for Franklin, the conference’s coaches met for their annual postseason meeting.
Press file photo - Kendall Rumans is pictured with her Panther softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Press file photo - Kendall Rumans is pictured with her Panther softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Rumans recounts record-breaking hitting season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
It’s been a good year for Kendall Rumans. Between leading Panther softball to a Mountain Seven Conference title and breaking career team records in home runs and RBIs, the junior turned in one of the great seasons in program history.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Madelyn Kennedy (left) and Leila Pinkston (second from bottom) swim a close race in the girls 11-12 50-yard breastroke at the Mountain Swimn League All-Star meet July 19.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Madelyn Kennedy (left) and Leila Pinkston (second from bottom) swim a close race in the girls 11-12 50-yard breastroke at the Mountain Swimn League All-Star meet July 19.

FAST ends season at All-Stars

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
The Franklin Amatuer Swim Team has completed another stellar season. A week after claiming their 21st straight title at the Mountain Swim League Championships, on July 19 FAST’s best swimmers traveled to Cullowhee for the All-Star meet.