Franklin High School’s (FHS) academic and athletic seasons are winding down as the month of May begins to do the same. The Panthers’ spring sports slate was full with baseball, softball, women’s soccer, outdoor track and field, golf, and men’s tennis and volleyball. Results varied with different student athletes standing out in distinct ways throughout the season.
Baseball
The baseball Panthers finished the regular season going 7-1 in their final eight games, to finish with a respectable 12-10 record. Their Mountain Seven Conference (M7C) standing, however, was under .500 at 5-7 and good enough for 4th place. Their only playoff round game was at North Davidson, where they fell 0-6 to the Black Knights, May 6.
Photo by Ronnie Vanhook
With a young team this year, head coach Jared Greenwood’s staff has much to look forward to next year. Standouts on the team included freshman Paxton Sutton, who led in both batting average (.476) and on-base percentage (.520); sophomore William Rauers, who finished with three home runs (HR), runs batted in (30), slugging percentage (.676), triples (2), and pitching – with an outstanding earned run average (ERA) of .091; sophomore Anderson Terrell, who paced the team with 17 stolen bases, runs scored (27), and hits (34); and, freshman Garret Young, who was on top in fielding percentage at .965.
Softball
By all accounts, Head Coach Bobby Bishop’s Lady Panthers produced an outstanding season, winning the M7C by one game over W. Henderson and finishing 11-1 in conference. In total, they tallied an 18-6 record and hosted two playoff games at home. They prevailed in the first, besting Erwin, 11-1 May 6 before losing to N. Davidson May 9, by a score of 6-3 ending their year.
A top player on the team included freshman pitcher Suzanna Cabe, who led in four statistical categories: ERA (2.09), stolen bases with 15, runs scored, and hits – both at 34. Junior Kendall Rumans paced the team in batting average (.478), on-base percentage (.565), HR (11), RBI, with 32, and slugging percentage (1.188). Senior Ashlynn McConnell broke the single season doubles record for FHS this year, (15 in 2019, Taylor Ensley) with 17. She also led the team in triples (2). Freshman Julie Edelheit led the team in the field with a .953 percentage.
Men’s volleyball
The young FHS sport of men’s volleyball ended with a tough record of 1-6. The volleyballers won their first game of the season over East Henderson before being beaten the final six games.
Head Coach Bekah Brooks admitted that while she would prefer more focus and dedication, that is not always the case, since the sport carries the designation of “club” status. That means it is not yet recognized by N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA).
“Of 17 total players, we only had seven returning players from last year; the other 10 were new to the sport,” she said.
Golf
FHS golfers had a successful year, finishing second in the M7C, just behind Pisgah and ahead of third place West Henderson. While Coach Ryan Raby’s team performed well across the board, four players made all-conference: Max McClure and Cole Martin (seniors), Tanner Jones nior), and Nico Abbate (sophomore).
According to Raby, Tanner had an outstanding year in particular, culminating at the NCHSAA 3A State Championships, May 12 and 13.
“We qualified as a team for Regionals [May 6 at Waynesville Country Club], where Tanner shot a 73 and tied for second overall. This qualified him for the state championship. He shot 75-74 in two rounds, which put him tied for 21st out of 96 [competitors] in the championship,” expressed Raby.
Track and field
Head Coaches Melissa Ward and Matt Harlfinger had their student athletes ready to run, throw, and jump at the NCHSAA 3A Track and Field State Championships, May 16 and 17 in Greensboro, N.C. In a reflective Facebook post, Harlfinger voiced his appreciation for the seniors he coached during the season: “This was one of the more rewarding coaching years of my life.”
Standouts at State included senior Laura Covarrubias, who placed 2nd in the 300 meter (m), at 43.39, and 4th in the 100m hurdles (14.65). She also placed 3rd in the long jump (17’6”). Fellow senior Charley Seagle took 3rd in the shot put (37’ 10”), while senior Aaron Dewhurst placed 4th in the pole vault, with a 13’6” jump.
Men’s tennis
After an 8-7 season, including going 8-4 within the M7C, Head Coach Sammy Gunter’s tennis men fell to the North Iredell Raiders 1-8 on April 28. The one win was in doubles where seniors Orrin Mynes and Brennan Cabe defeated their opponents, 8-1.
The team also sent two doubles duos to Regionals: in addition to Orrin and Brennan, Eli Adams, and Gavin Rinker. In the match, Orrin/Brennan won their first round against an Enka duo, 7-5 and 6-1. They lost a close second match. Gavin/Eli lost to a tough South Point team, 6-1, 6-1.
Women’s soccer
The Lady Panthers ended the season on a winning note, defeating Murphy’s Lady Bulldogs 3-1 on May 7. This season was clearly a case of win at home but struggle on the road. While their overall record ended at 6-11-1 (4-7-1), Head Coach Sam Vargas’s girls managed six wins at home, going 6-3 on the year at their Macon Middle School field. However, away from Franklin they never tasted victory, going 0-8-1 for the year.
Finishing 5th in the M7C, ahead of E. Henderson and Pisgah, Vargas looks forward to next year. Out of 22 players on the roster, only seven are seniors, so the bulk of the team gained a year of experience and return next season.