Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

20 May

Randleman’s Farlow clears the field, wins state title again in high jump

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, Class 2-A, Gracie Beane, nchsaa, North Carolina A&T, prep track and field, Randleman Tigers, State meet

Chase Farlow (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record) GREENSBORO — Chase Farlow left his final high school track and field meet with two medals, including another coveted gold in his specialty. The Randleman senior captured the high jump in the Class 2A state meet Saturday at North Carolina A&T. He was second in the long jump. “Pretty good day in the office,” Farlow said. He cleared 6 feet, 10 inches, in the high jump, matching his personal best. He was most pleased that he made it to that point of the competition without a scratch. He didn’t clear the 7-foot…

16 May

Chambers of Commerce take ‘Power of 5’ view in Randolph County

Bob SuttonBusiness, Events, NewsAdam Deathe, Archdale-Trinity Chamber of Commerce, Asheboro/Randolph Chamber, Ashlee Willett, Liberty Chamber of Commerce, Ramseur Eastern Randolph Area Chamber., Randleman Chamber of Commerce

The five separate Chambers of Commerce in Randolph County have joined forces in terms of sharing more information and meeting on a regular basis. It’s under the “Power of 5” concept. “We’re all of the opinion that we’re stronger together,” said Adam Deathe, president/CEO of the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber. “We all realized that we were on the same page.” There was a “Business After Hours” meeting last month for members of all the chambers of commerce. It was held at Holly Ridge Golf Links in Archdale. “A great turnout and networking opportunity with people from all over Randolph County,” said J.C.…

14 May

Randleman keeps the faith, overcomes Trinity in state-playoff baseball thriller

Bob SuttonSportsBraxton Walker, Brody Little, Class 2-A, Ethan Willard, Jackson Hill, Jake Riddle, Jake Smith, John Kirkpatrick, Lincoln Coble, McCrary Park, Prep baseball, Randleman Tigers, Ryan Spencer, state playoffs, Tate Andrews, Trinity Bulldogs

Randleman’s Jackson Hill heads for the plate to score the winning run in the Tigers’ Class 2A state-playoff victory against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — Members of the Randleman baseball team were certain they’d figure out a way to win the third-round round game of the Class 2A state playoffs against Trinity. They just weren't quite sure how. “We always had faith that we were going to win the game,” infielder Tate Andrews said. “That helps us not let the pressure get to us.” The Tigers erased a two-run deficit and then went to the bottom of…

14 May

Eastern Randolph hits hot spot at right time, advances to fourth round in baseball playoffs

Bob SuttonSportsCade McCallum, class 1-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, McCrary Park, Nate Cockman, Prep baseball, Rayden West, state playoffs

Cade McCallum delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s game in the Class 1A state playoffs at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The timing is right for Eastern Randolph to be playing its best baseball of the season. The Wildcats won their third consecutive game in the Class 1A state playoffs with Tuesday’s 4-1 victory against Mountain Heritage at McCrary Park. “We’re getting hot at the right time and it’s a great time to do it,” said Cade McCallum, who pitched a five-hitter. The Wildcats (14-12-1), who are seeded No. 15 in the West Region, move to…

09 May

Ejections, behavior within NCHSAA concern RCSS superintendent

Bob SuttonSportsEducation, nchsaa, Randolph County School System, Stephen Gainey, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Stephen Gainey (Courtesy photo) A rise in ejections across sports in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association has raised the concern of Stephen Gainey. Gainey, the superintendent of the Randolph County School System, is serving as NCHSAA president. “I’m seeing sportsmanship issues,” Gainey said last week after the association’s spring meetings wrapped up. “I see it on the field. I see it in the stands. And it’s very concerning to me.” The number of ejections of players has increased dramatically during the 2024-25 school year, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said. For Gainey, who regularly attends sports competitions in Randolph…

08 May

Eastern Randolph’s state champion adds distance to throws

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, discus, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Mirianna Corea, prep track and field, State championships

Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea says she’s continuing to improve as she aims for another state championship in track and field. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) RAMSEUR — Winning a state championship in track and field was a good thing for Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea last year. Now it’s getting even better. Corea has exceeded past marks in the discus and shot put with new personal bests as the final month of the season approaches. “It has been going good. I’ve hit some good PRs in both shot put and discus,” Corea said earlier this spring. “Last year’s PR was 118…

07 May

Ex-Randleman pitcher Way undergoes surgery

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, College baseball, Liberty Flames, Randleman Tigers, Seth Way, Tanner Marsh, Trey Cooper

Seth Way (Liberty photo) Former Randleman baseball pitcher Seth Way, in his first year in college, has undergone Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Way is in his freshman year at Liberty, though he hasn’t pitched for the Flames because of the ailment. “I’m currently a little over four weeks post-surgery,” he said last weekend. Way said he has been involved with the Liberty team on a regular basis in terms of off-field work. He’s not on road trips with the Flames. Way was the left fielder on Randleman’s 2022 state championship team as a sophomore. When he wasn’t…

03 May

Liberty adjusts festival schedule, sees work on park projects

Bob SuttonEvents, Newsfestivals, Freedom Park, Liberty, parks and recreation

LIBERTY — Liberty has reworked its festival schedule for 2025 in addition to a busy time for the town’s parks and recreation department. There was a spring festival and fall festival in 2024, but both have been set aside this year. Kolby Riddle, director of the parks and recreation department, said it’s about finding the right balance. The summer gathering, scheduled this year for July 12, remains in place. “That’s our biggest one,” Riddle said. The festivals generally feature food trucks, vendors with arts and crafts and baked goods and a kidszone. Inconsistent attendance, often related to the weather, had…

01 May

For Level Cross icon Dale Inman, next stop is N.C. Sports Hall of Fame

Bob SuttonSportsDale Inman, Level Cross, NASCAR, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, Richard Petty, Stock car racing, Terry Labonte

Dale Inman sits for a recent interview at the former racing team’s headquarters in Level Cross. (Petty Family Racing) LEVEL CROSS — Dale Inman has just about spanned the globe because of his ties to motor sports and yet there’s something appealing when the famed NASCAR crew chief returns home. “I was born right here in Level Cross,” Inman said this week. “I’ve been dedicated to racing, and it has let us travel mostly all over the world. When you’re getting back and you see the sign that says ‘Level Cross,’ it lets you know you’re home.” Inman, 88, will…

29 Apr

Opinions vary on league baseball tourneys as PAC opts out this year

Bob SuttonSportsEastern Randolph Wildcats, Jake Smith, Nate Cockman, piedmont athletic conference, Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament, Prep baseball, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Rob Shore, Ryan Spencer, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

The Providence Grove baseball team will be completing its regular season this week. (Randolph Record) There’s no Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament in baseball this year, something that would have taken place this week. Instead, teams are wrapping up their regular seasons. Opinions vary on the topic of whether to hold a tournament. The decision to nix the tournament was made prior to the school year. “It’s fun to have,” Trinity coach Ryan Spencer said. “We always got to have a couple extra games.” Teams can play up to 24 regular-season games, so a tournament provided opportunities, in some cases, for…