Sports

Press photo The Franklin High School swim and dive team returns every athlete from last year’s stellar season.

Swim team aims to continue success

Will Woolever

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

After multiple years of sustained success, Franklin’s swim and dive team has grown accustomed to Mountain Six Conference titles. A few weeks after the first sports kickoff the North Carolina High School Athletic Association season, the team will begin its quest for another.

Press photo/Will Woolever - Members of the Franklin High School volleyball team work out at the school gym. Official practice begins Nov. 4.

Volleyball sets sights on MSC title

Will Woolever

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

After six months of uncertainty over whether they would even be able to play this year, Franklin High School’s volleyball teams are preparing for the 2020-21 season.

Press photo/Will Woolever Newly named head track and field coaches Kyle Brown (gray shirt, middle) and Melissa Ward (purple shirt, far right) address runners at a recent cross-country practice.

FHS names two new track and field coaches

Will Woolever

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

Franklin High School’s Track and Field team is losing a fixture.

Photo/Alyssa Burk - Ruby Red cheerleaders practice a routine inside New Vision Training Center in Franklin.

Youth sports back in action

Will Woolever

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Macon County’s fall youth sports are beginning their return from lockdown. As the COVID-19 pandemic cast doubt on sports seasons from peewee to professional this year, many wondered when athletes might be able to return to the field.

Press photo/Will Woolever - FHS seniors Ethan and Nathan Stamey run during a recent cross country practice.

Pandemic sows doubt for seniors

Will Woolever

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic transforms the fall 2020 sports season, it has left players, staff and officials uncertain as to what this year’s changes may mean. Fans wonder when and even if they will have a season. Players wonder what that season might look like if it happens.

Photo submitted - The 1992 girls cross country team proudly displayed their plaques and trophies garnered during their state-championship winning season. From left: assistant coach Steve Philo, Amy Berger, Stephanie Hyder, Kristy Henson, Nikki Pons, Corie Fuchs, Marla Getford, Erica Riendeau, Jennifer Wiggins, Jessa Brown, head coach David Morgan. Not pictured: Emily Beller, Derrah Ledford.

2020 Hall of Fame inductees

Andy Scheidler

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Andy Scheidler sports@thefranklinpress.com Athletes from the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, plus a community member who covered games for the radio station, were selected to join the latest class for the Franklin Athletic Hall of Fame. This is the ninth HOF class.

Press file photo - Bennett Swafford earned all-conference honors his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, and would’ve likely competed for player of the year honors this spring had the season not been halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Steady golfer lands DII offer

Andy Scheidler

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Bennett Swafford exceeded his own expectations. After his junior year of playing golf at Franklin High School, when he earned a third all-conference honor, Swafford wasn’t getting any attention from college programs.

Press photo/Andy Scheidler - Franklin High School athletic director Blair King (right) and assistant athletic director Ryan Haley record a video presentation May 20 at Backlot Cinema for the annual Athletic Awards ceremony.

Franklin athletes recognized for 2019-20

Andy Scheidler

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Like most meetings and gatherings these days, the Franklin Athletic Awards ceremony went virtual. FHS athletic director Blair King and assistant AD Ryan Haley recorded the ceremony last week at Backlot Cinemas.

Press file photo - Makayla Brewer earned multiple all-conference honors for McDowell and Franklin.

Brewer exudes a ‘calming presence’

Andy Scheidler

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Makayla Brewer figured her basketball-playing days were over. She finished her senior season at Franklin, culminating a career in the sport that she began playing competitively in kindergarten. “I kind of lost my passion for it, honestly,” Brewer said.

Press file photo - Rhiley Bryson made 1,344 digs during her three-year varsity career.

Bryson will miss volleyball ‘family’

Andy Scheidler

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Rhiley Bryson describes herself as “boney.” Not having much cushion when hitting the hardwood floor means she has plenty of battle wounds from diving for balls while playing volleyball.