Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

21 Jan

Title chase takes different complexion for PAC girls

Bob SuttonSportsPrep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Scott Tyson, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s Gracie Hodgin creates a defensive presence against Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson during a holiday tournament game last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Randleman’s girls’ basketball team isn’t much interested in losing the grip it has held on the Piedmont Athletic Conference the past several years. “We’ll see if there’s a changing of the guard,” first-year coach Scott Tyson said. But the Tigers will have work to do to hold ownership of the league championship for a fourth consecutive year. Southwestern Randolph has been a contender in the past and this might be the season that the Cougars take…

20 Jan

Prep wrestling: Busy Trinity team claims tourney title; Others win in Jet Invitational

Bob SuttonSportsAiden Burkholder, Bliss Joyce, Briana Joyce, David Lambright, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Edgar Vasquez, Lawson Coltrane, Maddox Carson, Mitchell Freeman, prep wrestling, Providence Grove Patriots, Simeon Hammett, Stephen Cross, Trinity Bulldogs, Wheatmore Warriors

Five Trinity wrestlers grabbed individual titles and the Bulldogs were team champions in the Sarah Wilkes Invitational on Saturday in Eden. It was the first of two tournaments in three days that at least some of the Bulldogs participated in. Aiden Burkholder (106 pounds), Stephen Cross (113), Edgar Vasquez (126), Simeon Hammett (132) and Lawson Coltrane (165) were the champs for Trinity, which also had three runners-up. Among 12 teams, Trinity was the champion with 198½ points, with host Eden Morehead the runner-up at 179. Burkholder defeated Southeast Guilford’s Jacob Bone with a 56-second pin in the final. Cross edged…

17 Jan

Asheboro alters traffic at intersection

Bob SuttonNewsCity of Asheboro, traffic, Trevor Nuttall

Here's the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro. (City of Asheboro photo) ASHEBORO — There's a new all-way stop at the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro — and more all-way stops could be on the way. The change is a provisional conversion, according to city officials. It's part of a potential cost-saving switch, assistant city manager Trevor Nuttall said. The city announced the decision to analyze the intersection after reviewing traffic data and assessing the cost to replace an out-of-date signal. A replacement would be estimated to exceed $70,000. "The equipment, which is at least 30 years old,…

16 Jan

New RCEDC official ready to support industry growth

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsDavid Hursey, randolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

David Hursey (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO — David Hursey sees vast possibilities as he takes over as the new Existing Industry Director of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. “There’s a lot going on here,” Hursey said. “By and large, the county has been well-led. One of the things I want to do is promote the good things that are happening.” Hursey, who began in the role at the beginning of the year, will lead RCEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion program, addressing industry-specific challenges. He said that’s where most of his energy will be directed, seeking to assist businesses with growth.…

14 Jan

It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Braxton Walker, Cliff Thompson, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, Wes Berrier

Asheboro wrestling coach Cliff Thompson, left, shares a laugh with assistant coach Scott Bainville at a recent meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Cliff Thompson has coached an assortment of area wrestlers in and around Randolph County. So in his role as first-year Asheboro coach, he’s familiar with just about anyone he comes across on the mats. He has been questioned by his wrestlers: “Why everybody talk to you?” It’s because Thompson is well-known in wrestling circles. He said he’s glad he has landed with the Blue Comets. Thompson, a 1998 Randleman graduate, won a state championship as…

13 Jan

RCSS parents go on alert with phone snags

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — Officials with the Randolph County School System are working with a new provider to work out snags that have popped up regarding the district’s alert system. Amber Ward, the public information officer for RCSS, said a couple of phone carriers have blocked the number used for the alerts so that messages haven’t reached all their intended audiences. The situation became heightened last week when there were weather-related delays and closures. Ward said RCSS switched during the summer to a different website provider and, as part of that, it has meant a different process for the phone alert system.…

12 Jan

Asheboro picks next city manager from western North Carolina

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsCity of Asheboro, David Smith, Donald Duncan, John Ogburn

Donald Duncan (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Donald Duncan, who has been involved in city and county government in the western part of North Carolina, will be the next city manager for Asheboro. Duncan was selected among several dozen applicants. “My family and I are excited to join the Asheboro community,” Duncan said in a statement. “I aspire to live up to the trust placed in me by a wonderful Mayor and dedicated City Council.” Duncan, 47, spent the last three years as Caldwell County manager. Before that, he was city manager in Conover for 15 years. He has bachelor’s degree in…

12 Jan

UCA wrestlers buff up with more success

Bob SuttonSportsCaden Bond, Chris Waddell, Dominic Hittepole, Lorenzo Alston, piedmont athletic conference, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Caden Bond TRINITY — Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team is on target for a league championship and another bid for a dual team state title. Per usual, the Eagles have been doing so by rolling past most opponents. “We’re trying to dominate,” senior Aiden Foster said. “We’re trying to be better every day.” UCA has a new coach in Hayden Waddell, who moved into the position that his father, Chris Waddell, previously held. The elder Waddell remains involved and on the bench with the Eagles. “We’re trying to stay consistent with what we do,” said Hayden Waddell, who was the…

10 Jan

Schools in Randolph County react to NCHSAA league proposals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Chris Chapman, Chris Waddell, Cody Moran, Corey Phillips, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, realignment, Robert Mitchell, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wes Berrier, Wheatmore Warriors

ASHEBORO – The proposed conference make-ups for the next North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment look good to officials from most Randolph County schools. That’s not to say adjustments won’t be sought from some schools, including Southwestern Randolph. “We’re researching some things,” athletics director Chris Chapman said. The new league lineups come as the NCHSAA expands from four to eight classifications beginning in the summer to begin a four-year cycle. The initial draft of conferences was unveiled in December. Schools have until Jan. 21 to appeal for changes. “I think the state did a real good job of thinking…

09 Jan

Randleman’s champion high jumper adds dunking to portfolio, picks N.C. State for college

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, North Carolina State, Prep Basketball, prep track and field, Randleman Tigers

Chase Farlow of Randleman soars toward the rim against Eastern Randolph last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – One the state’s top high jumpers can dunk, too. It hasn’t come automatically for Randleman senior Chase Farlow, but he has thrown a few down in game action for the Tigers boys’ basketball team. During the holiday break, Farlow also locked in his college destination. He’s heading to North Carolina State on a scholarship for track and field. Farlow said he felt the Wolfpack’s program was a good fit for him. He drew increasing interest from college track and field…