Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever - An all-Panther heat competes in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at Franklin’s first home track meet in six years April 19. From left are Dylan Monzon, Josiah Sheldon, Chad Engel, Braylen Dezarn and Jonas Phillips.

Track hosts historic meet

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

It’s been a milestone week for Panther track and field. For the past five years, Franklin’s most successful team have competed as nomads, winning two state titles without ever hosting a home meet.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Eli Adams returns a high-bouncing shot versus Smoky Mountain April 9.

Tennis rolls into playoffs

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Panther men’s tennis has entered the endgame. Upon returning from Spring Break the week of April 7, Franklin faced a busy slate of contests, including two with North Henderson and one with Smoky Mountain.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Gabe Stilwell chips out of a bunker on Hole 9 at Sky Valley Country Club April 9.

Golf wins M7 tourney 1st round

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Panther men’s golf are frontrunners in the Mountain Seven. On Wednesday, April 9, the team traveled to Sky Valley Country Club for Round 1 of the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament. With strong outings from each of its top five players, Franklin ended the day in first place.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Kendall Rumans (center, holding plaque) is pictured with her softball teammates after breaking the program’s career home runs record versus East Henderson April 8.

Rumans breaks HR record

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Panther softball has a new all-time home runs leader. For the past three years Kendall Rumans has rewritten the program’s record books, setting single-season and career records in RBIs.

Sophomore Kamden Reis competes in the long jump at Western Carolina University March 7. (Press file photo)

Track impresses at Reynolds

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

One of the biggest meets of the year is in the books for Panther track and field. Over Franklin’s Spring Break holiday April 5, those who remained in town traveled to A.C. Reynolds for the annual Blue Ridge Classic.

Junior goalkeeper Carramia Ramos punches a ball from danger at Smoky Mountain March 31. (Press photos/Will Woolever)

Girls soccer looks strong at halfway point

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Halfway through the season, Panther women’s soccer is on solid ground. Now in its second year under head varsity coach Sam Vargas, the program’s efforts are beginning to bear fruit, with young varsity and JV teams improving steadily.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Junior Addix Sutton slides safely into home plate during Franklin’s 12-run win at Smoky Mountain April 1.

Baseball earns blowout wins

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Panther baseball is back on track. After a tough series with North Henderson the previous week, over Spring Break the young Franklin team remained hard at work, playing back-to-back games with Smoky Mountain and Hayesville.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Senior Daisy Altamirano heads a ball versus Pisgah March 24.

Soccer earns first M7 win over North

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Panther women’s soccer has earned its first conference win. After routing Mitchell 9-0 for their first win of the year, the team embarked on a three-match road trip March 7-17 before returning home on the week of March 24.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Senior Gavin Rinker hits a groundstroke versus Tuscola March 26.

Tennis wins three straight in busy week

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Panther men’s tennis is back on track. Following a difficult two-week stretch in mid-March, losing three straight contests with top singles player Gavin Rinker sidelined, on the week of March 24 Franklin geared up for a busy slate.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Junior Braylen Dulicai tracks his ball’s flight at Highlands Falls Country Club March 24.

Men’s golf eyes M7 Tournament title

Will Woolever

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Panther men’s golf is in the thick of the Mountain Seven race. In their last two weeks of the regular season the team faced a busy slate of matches, traversing WNC ahead of the start of the conference tournament.