Sports

Photo courtesy of Josiah Brendel - Macon Middle School boys track and field is pictured with their championship plaque after the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title meet at Apple Valley Middle School.

Photo courtesy of Josiah Brendel - Macon Middle School boys track and field is pictured with their championship plaque after the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title meet at Apple Valley Middle School.

MMS track wins 2nd BRAC title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
It’s been a good two years for Macon Middle School boys track and field. After winning the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference last year, the Panthers entered 2025 as the program to beat.
Members of Panther outdoor track and field are pictured with their Division I Female Olympic Sport Team of the Year plaque. From left: Aubrey Haley, Michelle Ortega and Laura Covarrubias.

Members of Panther outdoor track and field are pictured with their Division I Female Olympic Sport Team of the Year plaque. From left: Aubrey Haley, Michelle Ortega and Laura Covarrubias.

Panthers bring home WNC Sports Awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Franklin was well-represented at this year’s WNC Sports Awards. On May 25, the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club hosted its 63rd annual banquet at Asheville’s Omni Grove Park Inn, honoring the region’s best high school athletes.
Press file photo

Press file photo

Rauers, Rumans among WNC Players of the Year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Franklin boasted two of the region’s top players on the diamond this spring. Recently, the Asheville Citizen Times polled readers on WNC’s best athletes, including 20 of the area’s brightest baseball and softball stars.
Photo courtesy of Randy Phillips - Macon Middle School baseball shows off their championship plaque after routing Rugby in the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title game May 7. Pictured after the win on McConnell Field are eighth-graders Brayden Greenwood, Graham Cantrell, Jude Morgan, Cam English, Easton Holbrooks, Paxton Green, Max Cable and Sam Moore; and seventh-graders Grey Ward, Garrett McConnell, Corbin Chastain, Garrison Laird, Graham Bishop and Cole Bogden.

Photo courtesy of Randy Phillips - Macon Middle School baseball shows off their championship plaque after routing Rugby in the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title game May 7. Pictured after the win on McConnell Field are eighth-graders Brayden Greenwood, Graham Cantrell, Jude Morgan, Cam English, Easton Holbrooks, Paxton Green, Max Cable and Sam Moore; and seventh-graders Grey Ward, Garrett McConnell, Corbin Chastain, Garrison Laird, Graham Bishop and Cole Bogden.

MMS baseball claims 2nd BRAC title in 3 years

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Macon Middle School baseball has returned to the mountaintop. Having won the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference in 2023, the team nearly repeated last year, losing the championship game to Rugby in extra innings.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin High Class of 2025 athletes are pictured with their Senior Plaques at the school’s annual Athletic Awards Ceremony May 22.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Franklin High Class of 2025 athletes are pictured with their Senior Plaques at the school’s annual Athletic Awards Ceremony May 22.

FHS 2025 Athletic Awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
On May 22, Franklin High athletes, coaches and family members gathered in the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts for the school’s 2024-25 Athletic Awards Ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Dan Gibson - Junior Tanner Jones lines up a shot in the pouring rain at the State Men’s Golf Tournament in Fayetteville May 12.

Photo courtesy of Dan Gibson - Junior Tanner Jones lines up a shot in the pouring rain at the State Men’s Golf Tournament in Fayetteville May 12.

Jones caps best golf season since 2017

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
A stellar year is over for Franklin golfer Tanner Jones. Having tied for second place at the 3A West Regional in Waynesville May 6, the junior traveled to Fayetteville May 10 for the state tournament. Despite some very soggy weather, he earned a top-25 overall finish.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Macon Middle School softball is pictured with their fourth straight Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title plaque after a thrilling 1-0 home win over Smoky Mountain May 7. Pictured are players Palmer Tallent, Emmy Moffitt, Neelley Vinson, Kyleigh Winchester, Chloe Lambert, Ellie Nunley, Karlie Beck, Molly Moeller, Tatum Carrion, Kinley Young, Alyssa Awtrey, Payton Houston, Eva Holland, Payton Manos and Arianna Green; and managers IIaeh Ezechel and Blakeleigh Garrett.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Macon Middle School softball is pictured with their fourth straight Blue Ridge Athletic Conference title plaque after a thrilling 1-0 home win over Smoky Mountain May 7. Pictured are players Palmer Tallent, Emmy Moffitt, Neelley Vinson, Kyleigh Winchester, Chloe Lambert, Ellie Nunley, Karlie Beck, Molly Moeller, Tatum Carrion, Kinley Young, Alyssa Awtrey, Payton Houston, Eva Holland, Payton Manos and Arianna Green; and managers IIaeh Ezechel and Blakeleigh Garrett.

MMS softball wins 4th BRAC title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Macon Middle School softball has created a dynasty. For the past three years they’ve controlled the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference, racking up three straight titles and an unbeaten season.
Photo submitted - Senior Charley Seagle shows off her bronze medal in the shot put with FHS principal Blair King.

Photo submitted - Senior Charley Seagle shows off her bronze medal in the shot put with FHS principal Blair King.

Track ends year at state meet

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Another strong year is in the books for Panther track and field. Having placed first and third in the 3A West Regional May 10, on May 16, Franklin’s men’s and women’s teams took part in the 3A State Championship. There several Panthers earned top finishes at their last official meet of the season.
Senior Noah Brannon competes in the long jump in Franklin’s first home meet since 2019 at Macon Middle School April 19. (Press file photo)

Senior Noah Brannon competes in the long jump in Franklin’s first home meet since 2019 at Macon Middle School April 19. (Press file photo)

Track places 1st, 3rd at regionals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Panther women’s track are champions of the 3A West. After winning men’s and women’s titles at the Mountain Seven Conference meet April 30, on May 10, both teams traveled to North Iredell for the 3A West Regional.