Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

02 Aug

Prep Sports Notes: Participant numbers rise; NCHSAA committee set for realignment

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, realignment, Stephen Gainey

Participation rose in many sports in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for the 2023-24 school year in numbers compiled by the governing body. Based on the NCHSAA’s totals that came from member schools and released in July, there were increases in participants in every sport except for baseball compared to 2022-23. This spring, there was a 1.4 percent decline with 10,574 baseball players. There were significant boosts in boys’ golf (7 percent) and boys’ lacrosse (6 percent). The largest increase came in what’s called winter spirit (cheerleading). The uptick came in part because 60 schools joined that competition…

31 Jul

Asheboro ZooKeepers end season with flourish

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Atkins, Korey Dunbar, McCrary Park, summer college baseball

Nick Capozzi of the Asheboro ZooKeepers takes a swing. (Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – At the beginning of the final week of the Coastal Plain League baseball season, the Asheboro ZooKeepers rallied from a four-run deficit and used a bunch of late-game dramatics to pull out a victory. Perhaps it was a fitting scenario for the team, which showed resiliency on that night at McCrary Park and for the rest of the week. “Big wins, it feels nice,” said outfielder Owen Blackledge. “Baseball is a whole lot more fun when you’re winning.” Blackledge smashed a seventh-inning grand slam in that uprising…

28 Jul

Brannon reflects on life changes early in pro baseball career

Bob SuttonSportsBoston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, minor leagues, Randleman baseball, Randleman Tigers

Former Randleman slugger Brooks Brannon is playing for a second year in a row for the Salem Red Sox. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) SALEM, Va. – About two years since Brooks Brannon was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, the former Randleman slugger is inclined to talk plenty about changes. Don’t worry, he still projects as a power-hitting prospect as he’s in the early stages of what he hopes will be a climb in the Red Sox organization. He categorizes alterations in his life as positives, a list that includes immersion in faith and a recent engagement. That’s a…

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…