Sports

Pendergrass evades a tag at home plate versus East Henderson at Macon Middle School April 8 (Press file photo).

Pendergrass evades a tag at home plate versus East Henderson at Macon Middle School April 8 (Press file photo).

5 named All-State on diamond

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Franklin had plenty of talent on the diamond this year. Recently, the N.C. Baseball and Softball Coaches Associations released their annual list of 3A All-State honorees, including four players from Panther softball and one from Panther baseball.
Sophomore Will Rauers pitches to West Henderson April 11. (Press file photo)

Sophomore Will Rauers pitches to West Henderson April 11. (Press file photo)

3 named All-M7C in baseball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Panther baseball should have plenty of talent returning next spring. After Franklin won nine of their last 11 games to earn a state playoff berth this spring, Mountain Seven coaches met for their annual postseason meeting.
Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - FAST swimmers leave their starting blocks for the girls 15-18 100-yard freestyle at the Mountain Swim League Championship Meet July 12 at the Macon County Rec Park.

Press photo/Vickie Carpenter - FAST swimmers leave their starting blocks for the girls 15-18 100-yard freestyle at the Mountain Swim League Championship Meet July 12 at the Macon County Rec Park.

FAST wins 21st MSL title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has earned their 21st straight league title. One week after completing their 17th straight unbeaten regular season, on Saturday, July 12, the team returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host the Mountain Swim League Championships.
Photo courtesy of Kayla Schulte - Franklin’s Coach Pitch Softball All-Stars show off their championship banner after winning the N.C. District 5 Little League Tournament in Sylva June 28. Team members are Phoenix Wilson, Ivee Harrison, Harper Schulte, Maci Vanderpool, Kinsleigh Pendergrass, Brynnlee Shuler, Amaya Torres, Carrigan Wishon, Adaline Rholetter, Sadie Corbin, Aleah Ammons and Hannah Griffith.

Photo courtesy of Kayla Schulte - Franklin’s Coach Pitch Softball All-Stars show off their championship banner after winning the N.C. District 5 Little League Tournament in Sylva June 28. Team members are Phoenix Wilson, Ivee Harrison, Harper Schulte, Maci Vanderpool, Kinsleigh Pendergrass, Brynnlee Shuler, Amaya Torres, Carrigan Wishon, Adaline Rholetter, Sadie Corbin, Aleah Ammons and Hannah Griffith.

8U softball- District 5 champs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Franklin’s 8U softball All-Stars are district champs. After winning the N.C. District 5 Little League title, the team traveled to Lake Norman July 5-8 for the State Tournament. With a blowout win and two narrow losses, they brought a memorable season to an end.
McKenna Plemmons attempts a 3-point shot versus West Henderson Jan. 14. In a rematch with the Falcons three weeks later, the senior broke a Panther single-game record with eight makes from behind the arc. (Press file photo)

McKenna Plemmons attempts a 3-point shot versus West Henderson Jan. 14. In a rematch with the Falcons three weeks later, the senior broke a Panther single-game record with eight makes from behind the arc. (Press file photo)

McClure signs with Roane

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Panther women’s hoops will have a new group of leaders next year. After a 17-10 season and a conference tournament title for Franklin, Mountain Seven coaches met for their annual postseason meeting, naming three Panthers to the All-Conference team and another as Honorable Mention.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Naomi Walker compete in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 3.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Naomi Walker compete in the girls 11-12 50-yard backstroke July 3.

FAST completes 17th straight unbeaten season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has continued an incredible streak. For the past two decades the Fins have controlled the Mountain Swim League, capturing their 20th straight league title last year.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s 12U baseball All-Stars show off their District 5 Champion banner after routing Blue Ridge at Parker Meadows July 1.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin’s 12U baseball All-Stars show off their District 5 Champion banner after routing Blue Ridge at Parker Meadows July 1.

12U baseball wins district title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Franklin’s Major League baseball All-Stars are district champs. Starting June 23, the area’s best 10-12-year-old players traveled to Brevard for the N.C. District 5 Tournament, locking horns with seven other teams from across WNC.
Photo submitted

Photo submitted

Track standouts attend Adidas Outdoor Nationals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Several Panther track and field standouts battled top competition recently. From June 20-22, team members traveled to Greensboro for the Adidas Outdoor Nationals, locking horns with opponents from across the Eastern Seaboard.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Minor League Baseball’s Judah Savaiko makes a diving catch versus Blue Ridge June 24

Press photo/Will Woolever - Minor League Baseball’s Judah Savaiko makes a diving catch versus Blue Ridge June 24

Little League All-Stars complete district tournaments

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Franklin’s N.C. District 5 Little League All-Star tournaments are in the books, following two weeks of competition including several games at the Parker Meadows Complex.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Allison Stockton race to a photo finish in the girls 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 26.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Savannah Jessup (foreground) and Allison Stockton race to a photo finish in the girls 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 26.

FAST blows out SMAC, CCAC

Will Woolever
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is nearing another unbeaten season. On June 26 the FAST Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park, hosting the Smoky Mountain (Waynesville) and Cherokee County Aquatic Clubs.