Sports

Photo/Bob Scott - Braveheart 5K runners take off from the starting line in front of Town Hall June 14.

Photo/Bob Scott - Braveheart 5K runners take off from the starting line in front of Town Hall June 14.

Braveheart 5K raises funds for Tartans Museum

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Another Braveheart 5K & Rob Roy Fun Run is in the books. At Town Hall June 14, 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.
(1) Press photo - Will Woolever

(1) Press photo - Will Woolever

Little League All-Stars host district tournaments

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
It was a busy weekend at the Parker Meadows Complex. Starting June 20, Franklin’s Little League softball and baseball All-Star teams kicked off their respective district tournaments, including multiple games on their home fields.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Joel Fausnaugh (foreground) races Jackson County’s Cail Lord-Siler to a photo finish in the boys 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 19.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST’s Joel Fausnaugh (foreground) races Jackson County’s Cail Lord-Siler to a photo finish in the boys 11-12 50-yard freestyle June 19.

FAST routs Cherokee, Jackson

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is halfway through its regular season. On June 19, the FAST Fins returned to the Macon County Rec Park to host the Jackson County Swim Team and Cherokee County Aquatic Club. With their third straight win Franklin stands just two more away from an unbeaten season.
Photo courtesy of McElroy Media

Photo courtesy of McElroy Media

Franklin Youth Tennis ends season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Another successful Franklin Youth Tennis League season concluded recently. Sponsored by the Franklin Youth Tennis Association (FYTA), the 40-plus players ages 8-17 worked on learning or improving all the strokes needed to be successful in tennis.
Former 12U All-Star right fielder Max Cable leaves his hat behind to make a difficult basket catch in the 2023 Little League State Tournament at Parker Meadows. (Press file photo)

Former 12U All-Star right fielder Max Cable leaves his hat behind to make a difficult basket catch in the 2023 Little League State Tournament at Parker Meadows. (Press file photo)

Little League teams prepare for district tourneys

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Franklin’s Little League baseball and softball teams are preparing for their district tournaments. Following the spring regular season, coaches recently selected Franklin’s citywide All-Star teams.
Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST swimmers ages 11-12 compete in the 200-yard medley relay June 12 at the Macon County Rec Park. From left are Naomi Green, Wylie Hinton and Larken Lynch.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FAST swimmers ages 11-12 compete in the 200-yard medley relay June 12 at the Macon County Rec Park. From left are Naomi Green, Wylie Hinton and Larken Lynch.

FAST defeats Salamanders

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team has earned another win. Having defeated Highlands in their season opener the previous week, on June 12 the team returned to the Macon County Rec Park. In routing Waynesville’s Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club, the FAST Fins improved to 2-0 this regular season.
First period BFS award winners (from left): Addie Deal, Sabrina Pooler, Juliona Garber, Ryleigh McConnell, Victoria Dugas, Brianna Quinn, Leeona Stiwinter, Jeydy Lobos. Not pictured: Jordan Westerman, Gabriela Roca.

First period BFS award winners (from left): Addie Deal, Sabrina Pooler, Juliona Garber, Ryleigh McConnell, Victoria Dugas, Brianna Quinn, Leeona Stiwinter, Jeydy Lobos. Not pictured: Jordan Westerman, Gabriela Roca.

Bigger, Faster, Stronger gives end-of-year awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Franklin High School’s girls grew Bigger, Faster and Stronger this year. As part of coach Anna Shields’ regular BFS class, female students practice physical fitness, weight training and mental toughness, including a 30-minute run without walking once per week.
Press photo/Will Woolever

Press photo/Will Woolever

Greenwood’s #9 jersey to be retired

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
One of Franklin’s all-time greats will be immortalized this fall. At the school’s Athletic Awards Ceremony May 22, former baseball catcher and current head coach Jared Greenwood received the department’s most prestigious honor, learning that his #9 jersey will be retired.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Emma Tyte (foreground) and Camila Gomez swim to a photo finish in the girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle at the Franklin Amateur Swim Team’s season opener June 5.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Emma Tyte (foreground) and Camila Gomez swim to a photo finish in the girls 9-10 50-yard freestyle at the Franklin Amateur Swim Team’s season opener June 5.

FAST opens summer season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team is back in action. Having won their 20th straight Mountain Swim League Championship last year, on June 5 the FAST Fins opened their new summer season at the Macon County Rec Park.
Photo courtesy of Juan Morales - Panther JV women’s soccer is pictured on their home field after a 3-0 win over rival West Henderson April 16.

Photo courtesy of Juan Morales - Panther JV women’s soccer is pictured on their home field after a 3-0 win over rival West Henderson April 16.

JV soccer ends year unbeaten

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Panther JV women’s soccer has completed an unbeaten season. After a 6-1-1 campaign last year, Franklin was even more ambitious this spring, playing a jam-packed schedule of 13 games. In finishing with 12 wins and zero losses, the team turned in perhaps its best season in history.