Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton knocks a third-inning single versus Erwin at McConnell Field March 21. The ball is visible streaking out of frame to Sutton’s right.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton knocks a third-inning single versus Erwin at McConnell Field March 21. The ball is visible streaking out of frame to Sutton’s right.

Baseball earns thrilling comeback win over Erwin

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Panther baseball has earned a signature win. After a tough start to the season, on St. Patrick’s Day week the young team faced two more difficult tests in a Mountain Seven game with Pisgah and a nonconference clash with Erwin.
Press photo/Christian Ray - Junior Aiden Pitts serves in front of Franklin’s bench during the team’s home opener vs. T.C. Roberson March 19.

Press photo/Christian Ray - Junior Aiden Pitts serves in front of Franklin’s bench during the team’s home opener vs. T.C. Roberson March 19.

Men’s volleyball opens year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Franklin’s newest athletic team is back in action. Following their inaugural season last spring, Panther men’s volleyball has been hard at work again, playing the first matches of their 2025 campaign. In the country’s fastest-growing high school men’s sport, Franklin has had no shortage of talent.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Suzanna Cabe slides underneath a throw while stealing second base vs. Hiwassee Dam March 19.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Suzanna Cabe slides underneath a throw while stealing second base vs. Hiwassee Dam March 19.

Rumans ties career HR record for softball

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Panther softball is on a tear. After routing Pisgah 7-0 March 14, the following week the team faced a unique slate of games. With three more convincing wins they extended their streak to four in a row, aided by a record-tying performance from Kendall Rumans.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Charley Seagle competes in the discus at Western Carolina University March 7.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Charley Seagle competes in the discus at Western Carolina University March 7.

Track and field impresses at Montreat

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
The season is heating up for Panther track and field. Having opened their spring campaign at Western Carolina University March 7, on March 14 the team traveled to Montreat College. Versus more than two dozen teams from across WNC, several Panthers impressed against top competition.
Senior Cole Martin hits an approach shot toward the third green at Sky Valley Golf Club March 13 (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Senior Cole Martin hits an approach shot toward the third green at Sky Valley Golf Club March 13 (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Golf plays 18 holes at Sky Valley

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Panther men’s golf’s first full match is in the books. Since the first day of the season Ryan Raby’s team has been hard at work, playing 90 holes in its first three weeks. With another busy slate of matches including their first 18-hole round, Franklin entered the heart of their campaign.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Ashlyn McConnell belts a first-inning double in Franklin’s 7-0 win over Pisgah March 14.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Ashlyn McConnell belts a first-inning double in Franklin’s 7-0 win over Pisgah March 14.

Softball starts 3-0 in M7C

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Panther softball has earned its first Mountain Seven Conference wins. After routing Madison at home to open the season, the team embarked on a 10-day, five-game road trip, returning to Macon Middle School for games with Enka and Pisgah.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Tanner Jones plots a path to the first hole (bottom right) at the Franklin Golf Course Feb. 27.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Tanner Jones plots a path to the first hole (bottom right) at the Franklin Golf Course Feb. 27.

Golf returns talented core

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
A much-anticipated campaign is underway for Panther men’s golf. Following their second straight trip to the 3A West Regionals last spring, the same core of players have returned for Franklin this season, including all but one of last year’s five-man regional team.
Press file photo

Press file photo

Rumans breaks career RBI record

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Panther softball’s slugger-in-chief continues to amaze. Throughout her first two-plus seasons, junior Kendall Rumans has been among Franklin’s greatest-ever hitters, shattering its single-season RBI record as a freshman (46).
Junior Brock Bradley slides safely into home plate in the first inning of Franklin’s season opener versus Murphy on McConnell field Feb. 26. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Junior Brock Bradley slides safely into home plate in the first inning of Franklin’s season opener versus Murphy on McConnell field Feb. 26. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Baseball wins wild season opener

Will Woolever
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Panther baseball has begun its season with a bang. After months of offseason workouts, on the week of Feb. 24 they opened their spring campaign, hosting Murphy at McConnell Field and traveling to Weaverville to face North Buncombe.