Sports

Press photo/Will Woolever. Jo Provost (left) and Lisa McDowell run to a photo finish in the 100-meter dash at the Macon County Senior Games recently. “As long as we’re still moving around and having fun,” said Provost.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Jo Provost (left) and Lisa McDowell run to a photo finish in the 100-meter dash at the Macon County Senior Games recently. “As long as we’re still moving around and having fun,” said Provost.

Macon Senior Games draw more than 100 athletes

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Another successful Macon County Senior Games is in the books. For the past 30 years, the games have brought the county’s seniors together for a friendly competition, with events ranging from swimming and cycling to cornhole, mini golf and table tennis.
Photo submitted. Panther women’s track and field is pictured at the 3A Outdoor State Championships in Greensboro May 20.

Photo submitted. Panther women’s track and field is pictured at the 3A Outdoor State Championships in Greensboro May 20.

Women’s track places 2nd in 3A

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Panther women’s track and field is the 3A state runner-up. After placing first and second, respectively at the 3A West Regional May 11, on May 20 Franklin’s women’s and men’s teams traveled to Greensboro for the state meet.
Photo submitted. (From left) Lydia Holland, track and field standout Claire Hovis, Moffitt, Cochran, track and field standout Braxton Deal, Laura Holland are pictured at the WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville May 19.

Photo submitted. (From left) Lydia Holland, track and field standout Claire Hovis, Moffitt, Cochran, track and field standout Braxton Deal, Laura Holland are pictured at the WNC Sports Awards Banquet in Asheville May 19.

7 Panthers, 2 teams win WNC Sports Awards

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Panther athletes returned home with plenty of hardware from this year’s WNC Sports Awards Banquet. At the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club’s 62nd annual banquet in Asheville May 19, seven Franklin athletes and two teams earned region-wide awards for their achievements, both on and off the field.
Press photo/Will Woolever. Macon Middle School boys track and field shows off their Blue Ridge Athletic Conference Championship plaque.

Press photo/Will Woolever. Macon Middle School boys track and field shows off their Blue Ridge Athletic Conference Championship plaque.

MMS boys track claims BRAC title

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
It was a good year for Macon Middle School track and field. At the Blue Ridge Conference Championship meet at Apple Valley Middle School May 7, nearly a dozen  WNC teams gathered to administer bragging rights for the year.
Photo submitted. Franklin High School students Taylor Thomas (left) and Evan Lampkin are pictured at the USA Powerlifting High School Nationals in Baton Rouge last month.

Photo submitted. Franklin High School students Taylor Thomas (left) and Evan Lampkin are pictured at the USA Powerlifting High School Nationals in Baton Rouge last month.

Lifters excel at USAPL Nationals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
A pair of local athletes have burst onto the national powerlifting scene. For the past two-plus years, Taylor Thomas and Evan Lampkin have tested the limits of human musculature, quickly becoming two of the southeast’s strongest high schoolers.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Anna Stiles makes contact with a pitch versus West Henderson April 30.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Freshman Anna Stiles makes contact with a pitch versus West Henderson April 30.

JV softball churns out more hitters

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
It’s been a solid year for Franklin JV softball. While their varsity counterparts garner all the headlines, the JV Panthers quietly toil away, waiting patiently in the wings for their own shot at stardom.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Avery Moffitt makes a beautiful catch in center field versus North Iredell May 7.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Senior Avery Moffitt makes a beautiful catch in center field versus North Iredell May 7.

Softball falls to N. Iredell, ends year

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Another year is in the books for Panther softball. Having ended the regular season as the 13th-ranked team in the 3A West, on Tuesday, May 7 Franklin began their state playoff journey. In a narrow loss to #20 North Iredell, the team brought their 2024 campaign to a close.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Tanner Jones tees off on Hole 10 at Sky Valley Country Club during the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament April 22.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore Tanner Jones tees off on Hole 10 at Sky Valley Country Club during the Mountain Seven Conference Tournament April 22.

Golf ends season at Regionals

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
It was another year to remember for Panther men’s golf. Throughout the spring campaign Franklin boasted a strong roster from top to bottom, to the point where head coach Ryan Raby was hard-pressed to choose the team’s lineup.
Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore goalkeeper Carramia Anthony-Ramos corrals a ball versus West Henderson at Macon Middle School May 7.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Sophomore goalkeeper Carramia Anthony-Ramos corrals a ball versus West Henderson at Macon Middle School May 7.

Soccer headed to 3A state playoffs

Will Woolever
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Panther women’s soccer is through to the postseason. Entering their last match of the regular season, Franklin stood at 33rd in the 3A West Rankings, just one spot shy of the region’s 32-team playoff field.