Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

02 Jul

Asheboro grad Adams deals with injury, but can still pitch for Post 45

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Connor Adams, Post 45, Post 81, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh

Connor Adams (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The role for Connor Adams with Randolph County Post 45 is going to be different. After surgery for a wrist injury, he’ll be content with having a way to contribute. Adams, who’s in his third season with Post 45, has torn cartilage in his left wrist. That means he wasn’t able to bat when the American Legion season began, but he could still pitch. “That’s what I’m best at anyway – pitching,” Adams said. “I feel more comfortable pitching.” Adams completed his senior high school season for Asheboro in the spring,…

30 Jun

Water comes under scrutiny at Farmer Elementary School

Bob SuttonNewsdrinking water, Education, Farmer Elementary School, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey, water

ASHEBORO – Drinking water should be off limits at Farmer Elementary School because of chemicals found in the water supply, Randolph County School System superintendent Stephen Gainey announced last week. Staff members are advised to avoid drinking the water after a report released by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. There are no classes because of summer break and only about a half-dozen staff members are working at the school for the next several weeks. Gainey’s statement said that bottled water is available at the school. Gainey said the goal is to have the situation rectified by the start…

29 Jun

Randolph County School System superintendent Stephen Gainey set for new NCHSAA role

Bob SuttonSportsEducation, Macie Crutchfield, nchsaa, Randolph County School System, Southwestern Randolph, Stephen Gainey

Stephen Gainey, right, presents an award to Southwestern Randolph pitcher Macie Crutchfield after the Class 2A softball state finals earlier this month in Greensboro. (Jamie Kent / Special to Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Stephen Gainey has been connected to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for a long time. Now, there’s something more for the superintendent of the Randolph County School System. He’s the next president of the NCHSAA, which is the governing organization for sports in public schools in the state. He takes that position July 1. “I love the North Carolina High School Athletic Association,” Gainey said.…

28 Jun

Paw-Paw’s Place on Dixie Drive closes in Asheboro

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro, Asheboro restaurants, Dixie III, Paw-Paw's Place, restaurant

Here’s the now-closed location of Paw-Paw’s Place in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Paw-Paw’s Place has closed one of its two locations in Asheboro after less than three years. The restaurant at 715 East Dixie Drive is no longer operating. Mitchell Simmons, a third-generation owner of Paw-Paw’s Place, said it’s a matter of making it all click. He said Paw-Paw’s Place’s Fayetteville Street location will expand its hours. “It was a lot of things,” he said. “It all worked out in the end.” That leaves the Fayetteville Street location open for breakfast and lunch until evening hours…

28 Jun

Asheboro hires baseball coach from Bunker Hill

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brad Rudisell, McCrary Park, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Prep baseball

Brad Rudisell (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Brad Rudisill has been hired as the next baseball coach at Asheboro High School, anxious to reap the benefits of the area’s rich youth baseball environment. Rudisill has been on the Bunker Hill baseball staff for the past three seasons, including the past two as head coach. He said he’s impressed with the commitment and facilities, both on campus and at McCrary Park, connected to Asheboro’s baseball program. “They didn’t leave any stone unturned,” he said. “Just a lot of commitment to excellence. The people were really passionate about Asheboro.” He fills the vacancy…

26 Jun

Blackledge builds own career with Asheboro ZooKeepers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, Owen Blackledge, summer college baseball

Owen Blackledge has brought energy to the Asheboro ZooKeepers for a second summer. (Courtesy of Asheboro ZooKeepers) Son of former NFL quarterback makes good use of time in Asheboro ASHEBORO – At about this time last year, Owen Blackledge had just left Omaha, Neb., where he was a member of a College World Series team. While some goals and destinations have changed, Blackledge is now in the middle of his second season with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. The rising senior outfielder knows how to make adjustments. He once played collegiately for national power Texas Christian University and now has one year…

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…