As autumn leaves start falling, Franklin High’s School’s (FHS) Melissa Ward and her athletes start running. As the old song goes, “Over the river and through the woods” … and fields, and roads, … Cross country running is not a stroll in the park – or anywhere else for that matter. As each school year begins, the first of three different track and field seasons commences. While the weather may still be warm, FHS’ cross-country athletes are off and running.
Ward, who also heads women’s events for indoor and outdoor track and field, has led the FHS cross country programs since 2020 – in her words, the “ever-awkward” year that had cross country events placed within the winter season. However, she looks forward to each campaign in a similarly positive way.
“I think the cross country season is a fun bonding time. We spend a lot of time together, whether on our runs, that can take anywhere between 40-90 minutes, in our community service projects and fundraiser projects, or when we hold team dinners the evening before the meets. It’s a time for fellowship and fun instead of sweat and hard work. I find that tends to be the driving factor to keep athletes returning.”
Regarding the competitive nature of the season, with two meets already in the books, Ward leaves no doubt as to the ultimate objective.
“The championship season is where our sights are always set in cross country and I’m looking forward to two particular meets: Asics/Alexander and Regionals.”
She believes Asics is just a fast course and can bring some potential for some personal bests early in the season.
“Regionals is not as fast of a course but it’s less challenging terrain than some tougher races, and it’s where our season really starts to come to a peak with States the following week,” said Ward.
With a full team of 24 runners, the squad is predominantly composed of females, with 19, as opposed to only six male runners. As to whether a particular athlete piques her interest, the coach quickly took a more team concept approach.
“I’m excited for our entire girls’ team. We’ve added on a few new faces this year and it’s looking rather promising for several of them.”
Ward added, “We have our top returners on the girls’ team that are destined for some stellar performances as well. On the boys’ side, returners Matheson Post and David Rogers will be pushing hard for senior year personal records, along with a new face, basketball star Tristan Gibbs, joining the team.”
Freshman Evan Pyles, in addition to Eli Stewart and Ken Modlin, complete the boys team. Modlin and Stewart also excelled in events during previous track and field seasons.
Thus far, the team has competed in the AC Reynolds Rocket Chase meet Aug. 28 and the recently completed Friday Night Lights event at Kernersville, Sept 6. Cross country has a relatively short season, with only four regular meets: Kituwah, at Swain County Sept. 21; and Asics XC Invitational Oct. 5., at Alexander High School in Taylorsville, being the remaining two.
Oct.15 brings the Mountain Seven Conference meet at Canton (Pisgah), followed by 3A West Regionals Oct. 26 in Morganton. The season ends with the State Championship Nov. 2, at Kernersville.
FHS Panthers record at 3-0
The cheer team and student section theme was construction, Friday, Sept. 6, while on the field the Panthers were all about the destruction of the Swain County Maroon Devils.
Franklin High School varsity football holds a 3-0 record so far this season, and running back #11 Braydon Hervey was responsible for four out of the five touchdowns last Friday night, with #20 Lance Parker getting another with a 70-yard touchdown reception.
Hervey stiff-armed a Swain County defender during one of his many runs at the Sept. 6 game (below), and then celebrated one of his four touchdowns with quarterback Anderson Terrell, #12 (right).
The Panthers are off this week but will resume play Sept. 20 away at East Henderson. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
Photos by Ronnie Vanhook