The Valley Echo

11/13/2025

Owen senior and two-sport athlete Easton Whitson celebrated her commitment to play softball at Francis Marion University yesterday, surrounded by family, teammates and coaches on College Softball National Signing Day. Find out more about how the occasion is motivating her before the back-to-back conference champion Warlassies take the field this spring in the story below.

Easton Whitson inks commitment to continue career With NCAA Division II program Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 13, 2025

11/12/2025

Drivers on the east side of downtown Black Mountain will be required to slow down on South Ridgeway and Sutton Avenues, following a unanimous decision by elected leaders during Monday’s regular monthly meeting of the town council. Find out more in the story below.

Top speed on South Ridgeway and Sutton Avenues moved from 25 to 20 miles per hour Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 12, 2025

11/11/2025

A procession honoring the men and women who served the nation marched through downtown, Nov. 11, as the 7th Annual Western N.C. Veterans Day Parade, presented by Black Mountain Salutes, returned to Sate Street. The annual gathering featured veterans, local JROTC programs, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops and local first responders.

11/10/2025

Heroes from around the region will be honored tomorrow in downtown Black Mountain, where the WNC Veterans Day Parade, presented by Black Mountain Salutes, will march along State Street, beginning at 2 p.m. Find out more about the annual tradition, returning for its seventh year, below.

WNC Veterans Day parade returns to State Street for seventh year Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 10, 2025

11/08/2025

The 2025 football season ended for Owen last night, following a 24-14 loss in the opening round of the playoffs. See photos of the action and read what head coach John Faircloth told his senior players after the game in the photo gallery and story below.

Warhorses Beset by missed opportunities in 24-14 loss to Cardinals Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 8, 2025

11/07/2025

The glow of the lights above Warhorse Stadium will fill the Swannanoa Valley tonight, when Owen hosts Union Academy in the opening round of the NCHSAA 3A State Football Playoffs. The gates open at 5:30 p.m., with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, and available at the gate or through the GoFan app. No passes, with the exception of those issued by the NCHSAA, will be accepted. A livestream of the game can be viewed on Hudl for $20.

Fans are encouraged to dress in a “Festive & Wintery” theme.

11/07/2025

The Warhorses survived a tough second-round test last night, while senior Spencer Woolley scored 4 goals in the second half to lift his team to a 4-2 victory over Thomasville. Find out more about how Owen secured a spot in the third round of the NCHSAA State Soccer Playoffs and see photos of the action in the story and gallery below.

Spencer Woolley nets 4 goals in second half to lift Owen to playoff victory over Thomasville Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 7, 2025

11/05/2025

It’s been over a decade since the Swannanoa Valley hosted a postseason football game, but that will change, Friday, Nov. 7, when the No. 14 Warhorses host No. 19 Union Academy. Find out more about how the 2025 Owen football team, which finished the season with its best record in six years, earned the opportunity to take the field in maroon jerseys in the story below.

No. 14 Owen Squares Off Against No. 19 Union Academy in opening round of State Playoffs Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 4, 2025

11/04/2025

While the opening round of the 2025 NCHSAA 3A State Soccer Playoffs gets underway tonight, the No. 6 Warhorses will find out which opponent they will host later this week. Find out more about Owen soccer, which will host at least one postseason match for the sixth straight year, in the story below.

Warhorses back in the saddle with opening round bye Fred McCormick The Valley Echo November 4, 2025

10/31/2025

Owen senior Craig Webb became the first distance runner in school history to claim an individual NCHSAA Cross Country State Championship this morning in Kernersville. His performance led the Warhorses to a 10th place finish in the meet.

Cross country athlete claims first individual title in program history Fred McCormick The Valley Echo October 31, 2025

10/30/2025

When the top teams in the state meet tomorrow in Kernersville for the NCHSAA 3A Cross Country State Championship, the Warlassies, who finished third in the West Regional meet last weekend, will be among them. Find out why the young Owen team has a lot to look forward to in the story below.

Owen cross country team heads to NCHSAA 3A Cross Country State Championship Fred McCormick The Valley Echo October 30, 2025

10/30/2025

Owen senior Craig Webb, following a first place finish in the West Regional meet last weekend, is on pace to bring the first individual cross country state championship back to the Swannanoa Valley. Find out more about the distance runner and the Warhorses, who qualified for tomorrow’s race with a fourth place performance in regionals, in the story below.

Craig Webb tops NCHSAA 3A West Regional leaderboard as Owen heads to state meet Fred McCormick The Valley Echo October 30, 2025