Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

25 Jul

Southwestern Randolph’s Popp cherishes tennis success, NCHSAA award

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Prep tennis, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Allie Popp (Courtesy of NCHSAA) ASHEBORO – Allie Popp’s senior year at Southwestern Randolph was her best on the tennis courts and beyond. Even with her playing days done, she was reaping awards. Popp was presented with the Pat Gainey Award, which is a student scholarship in memory of Pat Gainey of Dunn. The criteria includes at least a cumulative GPA of 3.2, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate athletic success during the high school career and demonstrate respect for coaches and teammates. Popp was an ideal fit for that honor. “She is a natural leader who leads by example,…

23 Jul

Candidates line up for Archdale, Trinity city councils

Bob SuttonNews, PoliticsArchdale, Lewis Dorsett, Trinity

There’s no opponent for Archdale mayor in November ASHEBORO – Archdale mayor Lewis Dorsett will run unopposed in November, but in Trinity as well as Archdale there will be contested races for city council. Multiple candidates for several spots after the filing period ended last week. Dorsett was also unopposed the 2022 election to continue into a role that he held since the summer of 2021, when he shifted from mayor pro tem to major when a vacancy occurred upon the retirement of Bert Stone. Dorsett is seeking another two-year term. Also in Archdale, candidates for an at-large spot on…

23 Jul

Former standout McPeak holds Asheboro ZooKeepers coaching role

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, summer college baseball, Tyler McPeak

Tyler McPeak (Photo courtesy of Asheboro ZooKeepers) Ex-teammates view Tyler McPeak in a different capacity ASHEBORO – Tyler McPeak found so much to appreciate about the Asheboro ZooKeepers that he came back for another season. But he’s a coach now instead of one of the best players. McPeak is making the transition during the Coastal Plain League season after finishing his final collegiate season in the spring for Lenoir-Rhyne. “I was fortunate to play for Coach (Korey) Dunbar last summer,” McPeak said. “I figured I’d give coaching a shot.” McPeak was second-team All-South Atlantic Conference first baseman for Lenoir-Ryne this…

20 Jul

High School Notes: UCA cracks top 10 for Wells Fargo Cup

Bob SuttonSportsCaleb Stickle, Lillian Payne, nchsaa, prep athletics, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Uwharrie Charter Academy placed eighth in Class 1A for the Wells Fargo Cup for the 2023-24 school year. The award recognizes schools that achieved the best overall athletic performance within each North Carolina High School Athletic Association classification. The winner in Class 1A was Mount Airy, followed by Swain County, Bishop McGuinness, Christ the King, Mountain Island Charter, Corvian Community and Elkin. UCA moved into the top 10 based on results in spring sports. The Eagles won the Class 1A state championship in baseball for the second year in a row and the school’s softball team had a strong season.…

19 Jul

Randleman seeks hotel to pair with growth

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsHotels, Randleman, Randleman Chamber of Commerce, Ross Stores

RANDLEMAN – The need for overnight accommodations and more meeting space might be reaching higher levels in Randleman, particularly after May’s announcement that Ross Stores is planning to build a distribution center in the city. “We have been talking to developers trying to get a hotel here,” said Jeff Freeman, executive director of the Randleman Chamber of Commerce. “We believe that is a need. Randleman does not have hotel and ample meeting space.” In order for Randleman’s growth to continue, Freeman said facilities that can cater to more visitors must be in place. “Randleman is a diamond in the rough,”…

17 Jul

Clemson pitcher embraces Asheboro mound time with ZooKeepers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Clemson Tigers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Noah Samol, summer college baseball

Noah Samol (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Noah Samol still holds big aspirations as a college pitcher, and he came to Asheboro this summer to help get those on track. Samol is a Clemson pitcher who has taken the mound for the Asheboro ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League. “Glad to be out here,” Samol said. “You just got to go somewhere and just pitch.” It has been far from a simple path to this point. The start-and-stop nature of Samol’s baseball experiences began several years ago. He had Tommy John surgery as a high school sophomore in Mason, Ohio. He…

16 Jul

Padres select ZooKeepers’ Evans in draft

Bob SuttonSportsArizona Diamondbacks, Asheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, pro baseball, Ryan Waldschmidt, San Diego Padres, summer college baseball, Zach Evans

Zach Evans (Asheboro ZooKeepers photo) Former Asheboro player picked by Diamondbacks ASHEBORO – Asheboro ZooKeepers shortstop Zach Evans was selected in the ninth round of baseball’s amateur draft Monday. Evans, a college player for Lenoir-Rhyne, was picked by the San Diego Padres with the 270th pick overall. Evans has been playing with the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League, which is a summer circuit for college players. He batted .338 with five home runs in 31 games. Evans is the 10th player in Lenoir-Rhyne’s baseball history to be picked in the draft. He’s the school’s first draftee in six years…

14 Jul

Wheatmore’s Messner takes turn in soccer spotlight

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, North Carolina East-West All-Star Game, prep soccer, state playoffs, Wheatmore Warriors

Wheatmore’s Maggie Messner, left, makes a play against Wilkes Central’s Riley Huffman during the 2023 state playoffs. (Randolph Record) TRINITY – Maggie Messner had a huge impact for Wheatmore’s historic success in girls’ soccer. She was a bit under the radar with the Warriors, so she’s excited about the recognition that comes with a spot in next week’s North Carolina East-West All-Star Game. “For me, the best part is that because I’m not getting to play at the next level, I get to showcase myself and show what I can do and how I’ve developed,” Messner said. “I get to…

13 Jul

Randleman’s Petty embraces spot in East-West All-Star Game

Bob SuttonSportsAudra Petty, College Basketball, North Carolina East-West All-Star Game, piedmont athletic conference, prep baskteball, Randleman athletics, Randleman Tigers

Audra Petty of Randleman takes a shot during a game against Uwharrie Charter Academy during the past season. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – Being part of an elite group of girls’ basketball players is special for Randleman’s Audra Petty. She’ll play in the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game. “It means a lot to be selected for the East-West Game because some of the best players in the state will be there,” Petty said. “I thought maybe I had a chance with my states from this season.” Petty’s 17.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game were huge for the…

12 Jul

Asheboro’s Miller looks for next baseball stop

Bob SuttonSportsAppalachian League, asheboro baseball, Asheboro Blue Comets, Burlington Sock Puppets, College baseball, Gage Miller, summer college baseball

Gage Miller signs a baseball for a young Burlington Sock Puppets fan after a game. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) BURLINGTON – Gage Miller’s winding baseball path has taken him to the Burlington Sock Puppets this summer. The infielder from Asheboro is still trying to carve out a stable college career. “I love baseball every single day,” Miller said. “I’m trying to get back into that groove. I knew once I got in the groove, I’ll be fine.” Miller left Asheboro High School’s team to play his senior season for Pro5 Baseball Academy based in Holly Springs, where he was…