Sports

Franklin Amateur Swim Team members leave the starting block for the Girls 9-10 50-Yard Breaststroke at the Macon County Rec Park June 18. From left are Saylor Holbrooks, Emry Keener, Joy Moses, Alexa Diaz Altamirano and Emma Brabson. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Franklin Amateur Swim Team members leave the starting block for the Girls 9-10 50-Yard Breaststroke at the Macon County Rec Park June 18. From left are Saylor Holbrooks, Emry Keener, Joy Moses, Alexa Diaz Altamirano and Emma Brabson. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

FAST opens summer season

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
The Franklin Amateur Swim Team’ summer season is underway.After winning their 21st straight Mountain Swim League title last year, FAST began their latest campaign June 11, hosting Jackson and Cherokee counties at the Macon County Rec Park.
UNIFY March Madness student lead Sara Crupi (left) and Panther track and field standout Michelle Ortega show off Franklin's Commissioner's Trophies, won jointly between the two organizations, at the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Annual Awards Celebration in Greensboro June 10. (Photo submitted)

UNIFY March Madness student lead Sara Crupi (left) and Panther track and field standout Michelle Ortega show off Franklin's Commissioner's Trophies, won jointly between the two organizations, at the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Annual Awards Celebration in Greensboro June 10. (Photo submitted)

Panthers collect statewide awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Panther athletics remains one of the state’s most decorated programs. On June 10, a Franklin contingent traveled to Greensboro for the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Annual Awards Celebration.
Press photo/Will Woolever

Press photo/Will Woolever

Men's hoops host youth camp

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Panther men’s hoops should have plenty of talent for years to come. On June 1 and 2, more than two dozen middle-grades players attended the program’s youth camp on Tom Raby Court, receiving instruction from varsity coaches and players.
Tanner Jones lines up a shot in the pouring rain during last year's 3A State Tournament at Gates Four Golf Club in Lexington. (Press file photo)

Tanner Jones lines up a shot in the pouring rain during last year's 3A State Tournament at Gates Four Golf Club in Lexington. (Press file photo)

Jones prepares to join Young Harris College

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
One of Franklin’s greatest-ever golf careers is at an end.For the past few years, Tanner Jones has been among the best players west of Asheville, taking part in back-to-back state tournaments and placing eighth overall at the 5A Championships this May.
Members of MMS boys track and field show off their various medals at the NCRunners Middle School All-State meet in Concord May 2. (Photo submitted)

Members of MMS boys track and field show off their various medals at the NCRunners Middle School All-State meet in Concord May 2. (Photo submitted)

MMS track earns conference titles, statewide medals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
It’s been a good year for Macon Middle School track and field.Having won their second straight boys championship last year, Macon entered this spring among the Blue Ridge Athletic Conference favorites.
Kamden Reis competes in the long jump at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at North Henderson April 30. The junior was named the meet’s Women’s Field Event MVP, placing first in the long jump, first in the triple jump and second in the high jump. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Kamden Reis competes in the long jump at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at North Henderson April 30. The junior was named the meet’s Women’s Field Event MVP, placing first in the long jump, first in the triple jump and second in the high jump. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Track and field starts summer program

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Long after the high school season, Panther track will still be hard at work.Through the last four years they’ve been one of the state’s best programs, earning 12 top-5 finishes at state meets between winter and spring.
Jones tees off on Hole #6 at Highlands Falls Country Club during the 5A West Men’s Regional Championships May 4.

Jones tees off on Hole #6 at Highlands Falls Country Club during the 5A West Men’s Regional Championships May 4.

Jones recounts FHS career

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
One of Franklin’s greatest-ever golf careers is at an end.For the past few years, Tanner Jones has been among the best players west of Asheville, taking part in back-to-back state championships and placing eighth overall at Sapona Golf Club in Lexington last month.
Franklin's senior scholar-athletes show off their plaques on stage at the school's annual Athletic Awards Ceremony May 28.

Franklin's senior scholar-athletes show off their plaques on stage at the school's annual Athletic Awards Ceremony May 28.

Panther sports honor best of 2025-26

Will Woolever
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Another good year is in the books for Panther sports.On May 28, Franklin High School athletes, coaches and family members gathered in the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts for the school’s 2025-26 Athletic Awards Ceremony.
From left, Chad Engel, a Tuscola Mountaineer, Jonas Phillips and Ken Modlin compete in the 110-meter hurdles at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

From left, Chad Engel, a Tuscola Mountaineer, Jonas Phillips and Ken Modlin compete in the 110-meter hurdles at the Mountain Eight Conference Championships at North Henderson April 30. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Track extends top-5 streak at state

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Panther track and field are among the state’s top teams once again.Having earned a West Region title from the girls and a runner-up finish from the boys, on May 15 they attended the 5A Championships in Greensboro, battling rivals from more than 40 other schools.
Fourth-year student Rachel Green scores one of her three goals in an exhibition match versus Franklin High School's JV team April 23. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

Fourth-year student Rachel Green scores one of her three goals in an exhibition match versus Franklin High School's JV team April 23. (Press photo/Will Woolever)

MEC athletes, officials recount inaugural year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
It’s been a whirlwind year for Macon Early College athletics.Having gained permission in 2024 from the Macon County Board of Education, MEC fielded its first-ever athletic teams this school year, competing in basketball, soccer, track and field, and swim and dive.