Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

25 Jun

Stickle stays in groove with Randolph County Post 45

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Caleb Stickle, Grat Dalton, Liberty Post 81, Parker Kines, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Trey Kennedy, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Caleb Stickle, who began the month helping Uwharrie Charter Academy win a state championship, is a key infielder for Randolph County Post 45. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Some of the tension might have lessened since the thrilling baseball postseason in high school for Caleb Stickle. But he said he doesn’t want his mindset to change with Randolph County Post 45. Fresh of Uwharrie Charter Academy’s second consecutive Class 1A state championship, he has graduated. Last week, he committed to play for Guilford Tech. “It was getting late,” he said of the desire to lock in a plan.…

24 Jun

Wheatmore distance standout Hazelwood ready to run at different pace

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, prep track and field, Wheatmore athletics, Zach Hazelwood

Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore relaxes after his final high school race last month in the Class 2A state meet. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Zach Hazelwood is looking forward to more relaxing runs after a stellar high school career as the area’s top distance runner. Hazelwood finished his senior year for Wheatmore and figured it’s time to back off from the running pace. “I’m just about ready to be done,” he said following his final high school competition last month at North Carolina A&T’s track in Greensboro. Hazelwood placed 10th in the 3,200 meters in the Class 2A…

22 Jun

The Wall that Heals brings sentiment, reflection to Randolph County

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro, Randolph County Veterans Services, Rita Honeycutt, The Wall that Heals, veterans

Ken Watson, left, Martha Trogdon Watson and Eddie Trogdon hold up a sign honoring fallen family member Ronald G. Trogdon. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – They came for many reasons, but those gathering across several days at The Wall that Heals have something in common. They want to recognize the sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans and pay tribute to the military in general. The Wall that Heals has been set up on the baseball field at South Asheboro Middle School since Wednesday and will be there until 2 p.m. Sunday. “It’s more than I expected," said Shawn Parrish,…

21 Jun

Trinity state champ Hardister discovers right combinations

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Coggins, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, state tournament, Trinity Bulldogs

Gavin Hardister reacts at the end of the state final. (Photo provided) TRINITY – Gavin Hardister had a solid wrestling background as he came up through high school. Then the Trinity wrestler made his final season his best when he became a Class 2A state champion last winter. “I feel like I was always good enough,” he said. “There was always a moment that got in my head. (As a senior), I didn’t let the moment be too big.” He’ll take the next step soon as he heads to Iowa Western Community College, which is a National Junior College Athletic…

19 Jun

New coach Scott Tyson sees Randleman girls’ basketball job as ideal

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Varner, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman athletics, Scott Tyson, Steve Rightmyer

Scott Tyson (Courtesy photo) RANDLEMAN – When the Randleman girls’ basketball coaching position became open, Scott Tyson saw that as an ideal situation. So he’s back in a coaching capacity after he was hired as the third coach in three years for the Tigers. “It’s really the tradition that Coach (Brandon) Varner started and Coach (Steve) Rightmyer continued last year,” Tyson said. Tyson coached the girls’ team at Southern Guilford in 2022-23 before taking the past school year off from a coaching role. He said he’s happy to be back. While in high school, Tyson spent three years at Western…

19 Jun

Franklinville unveils new town hall

Bob SuttonNewsA.C. Hurley, Franklinville, Franklinville town hall

The new location for the Franklinville Town Hall is just up the street from the previous location. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) FRANKLINVILLE – The new location for the town hall in Franklinville is open in a renovated bank building. A ribbon cutting was held Friday with several dozen attendees on location at the building that opened in 1920 after construction began a year earlier. The town offices have moved along West Main Street from the nearby building on the ground floor that houses the town library above. That’s next door to Franklinville Diner. “It was the bank and the…

18 Jun

American Legion baseball: Post 45 edges Post 81 again in intra-county clash

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Caleb Dunn, Liberty Post 81, Nate Cockman, Parker Kines, Pierce Leonard, Post 45, Post 81, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh

Post 45 pitcher Parker Kines (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Parker Kines wasn’t certain he would play American Legion baseball, but it has turned out to be a good thing for him and Randolph County Post 45 so far this season. Kines was on the mound for a strong start as Post 45 topped Liberty Post 81 for the second time in five nights, a 6-4 decision Monday night at McCrary Park. “I wasn’t planning on this,” he said of the summer activity. “But my coach (at Wheatmore) said it would be a good idea.” Kines, a rising…

17 Jun

Ex-Randleman standout Atkins looks for new baseball home

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Atkins, Randleman Tigers, Randolph County Post 45, summer college baseball, UNCG

Hunter Atkins (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Former Randleman baseball standout Hunter Atkins said playing for the Asheboro ZooKeepers this summer is a treat. It’s also serving as an audition. After one season in UNC Greensboro’s program, Atkins has entered the NCAA transfer portal. That puts more emphasis on the third baseman’s production for the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League. “Trying to get some stats up and see if I can get to a good home,” Atkins said. Atkins had a redshirt season in 2024, so he never took the field for UNCG. The Spartans had a…

17 Jun

Green Metals to join Liberty’s jobs scene

Bob SuttonNewsGreen Metals, jobs, Liberty, Toyota

LIBERTY – Green Metals Inc. is coming to Liberty, providing another jobs boost connected to the Toyota Battery Manufacturing plant at Greensboro-Randolph megasite. The company is a partner in the Toyota Tsusho family associated with scrap/waste handling and recycling solutions. Based on information from the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, Green Metals will process dry battery material for offsite recycling, as well as handle and store other waste streams. Materials will be packaged and sent off for recycling. Green Metals could make an investment of nearly $19.8 million across five years in the Liberty project, according to RCEDC. The site…

14 Jun

Wheatmore Warriors use spring to set foundation with new football coach

Bob SuttonSportsDominic Hittepole, Jacob Sheffield, Johnathan Kelly, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Wheatmore athletics, Wheatmore Warriors

Members of the Wheatmore football team gather near the end of a practice session this spring. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) TRINITY – Members of Wheatmore’s football team went through spring workouts adjusting to new coach Jacob Sheffield. “He’s bold. That’s the word,” said Johnathan Kelly, a standout linebacker and running back. “A good fit for us.” Sheffield was hired to replace Philip Yarbrough, who opted to leave the position and take a teaching position in Davidson County in his hometown. Sheffield is a Trinity alum and most recently an assistant coach there, though he’s a former head coach at…