Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

12 Feb

Providence Grove’s Mitchell Freeman finds comfort again on wrestling mats

Bob SuttonSportsBrooks Freeman, Mitchell Freeman, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Providence Grove Patriots

Mitchell Freeman (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) CLIMAX — Providence Grove senior Mitchell Freeman doesn’t put much stock in keeping track of his wrestling win-loss record, though it’s so good that he’s seeded third for the Class 2A Mideast Regional. He just wanted a chance to be a factor in the postseason after an injury that cost him an entire season. Freeman is back for his final chance, still sensing he’s trying to make up ground. “The hardest part is feeling behind,” he said. “I felt like I was ahead of the pack after that sophomore season, and then I was…

11 Feb

Eastern Randolph Wildcats pull away from UCA boys

Bob SuttonSportsAaron Smith, Braeden Lamb, Cade McCallum, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Jaxon Mabe, Johnny Thomas, Julian Brooks, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Timothy Brower, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Eastern Randolph coach Johnny Thomas gives instructions during Monday night’s game against Uwharrie Charter Academy. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) RAMSEUR – Eastern Randolph’s boys’ basketball team had a big collective answer when it came to a key matchup with Uwharrie Charter Academy. It seemed like all the Wildcats were on board. Using a sizzling second-half stretch, Eastern Randolph pulled away for an 83-63 home victory in Monday night’s make-up game, keeping alive an outside chance at sharing the Piedmont Athletic Conference championship. “We found a way to kick it into gear,” coach Johnny Thomas said. “It has started to…

08 Feb

UCA Eagles wrestlers pounce on Mount Airy for dual team state title

Bob SuttonSportsBrennan Worrell, Caden Bond, class 1-A, Dual team state finals, Hayden Waddell, Lorenzo Alston, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Here's the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team after winning the Class 1A dual team state championship Saturday in Greensboro. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) It’s not so much pressure on Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team to keep the trend going as it’s the pressure applied by the Eagles that keeps them atop the state in Class 1A. The Eagles showed that again in securing their third consecutive dual team state championship Saturday afternoon, defeating Mt. Airy 48-15. “I think the pressure just motivates everyone to keep going,” junior Brennan Worrell said. The Eagles grabbed an early lead and then finished…

08 Feb

Input sought for Randolph County transportation survey

Bob SuttonNewsAmy Rudisill, randolph county, transportation

ASHEBORO — The deadline for Randolph County residents to submit a completed survey regarding a regional transportation plan is Feb. 15. It’s part of the Randolph County Comprehensive Transportation Plan. A Comprehensive Transportation Plan is a long-range view that will assist local governments in making transportation decisions for the next 25-30 years. This includes aspects such as highways, bicycles, pedestrians and public transportation and rail. Amy Rudisill, public information officer for the county, said among the goals of the survey is to prioritize future projects. The survey is conducted in a partnership with the county, Piedmont Triad Rural Planning Organization…

07 Feb

Trinity’s Kelly selected for NCHSAA Hall of Fame

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, prep athletics, Prep Basketball, Tim Kelly, Trinity Bulldogs

Former Trinity boys’ basketball coach Tim Kelly has been selected for induction into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame for the Class of 2025. Kelly, who directed Trinity to a state championship in 2004, retired last summer. The school’s gym is named in his honor. He began coaching in 1981 and started coaching basketball at Trinity in 1989, winning 11 conference titles, four sectional championships and two regional championships. He also coached football and cross country for different stretches. Kelly coached in the North Carolina East-West All Star Game in 2005. Others selected for the Class…

07 Feb

UCA wrestlers aim for team title repeat; Reign ends for Trinity

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Jordan, Brennan Worrell, Caden Bond, Dual team state finals, Hayden Waddell, Jaden Allred, Joseph Trahan, Lawson Coltrane, Lorenzo Alston, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

UCA’s Rick Riccardella wraps up Union Academy’s Matthew Walsh during last weekend’s match during the second round of the Class 1A dual team state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestlers have displayed more dominance and the Eagles hope to take it to a familiar level in Saturday afternoon’s Class 1A dual team state championship. UCA (38-1) tangles with Mt. Airy at noon at the coliseum fieldhouse in Greensboro, seeking a third consecutive state title. “We won rings the last two years and we plan to go back and do it again,” 144-pounder Brandon Jordan…

04 Feb

A moment to savor on the mat: Trinity’s Coltrane would relish team repeat

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Coggins, Dual team state finals, Lawson Coltrane, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs

Lawson Coltrane (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) TRINITY — Lawson Coltrane had one of those moments that will be etched in memories forever in Trinity wrestling circles. Too bad he didn’t even know it was coming. In last year’s Class 2A dual team state final, it was Coltrane’s pin in the 165-pound class that clinched the championship for the Bulldogs. “Whenever I went out there, I didn’t even know it was to clinch it,” Coltrane said recently. “I just went out there. In my head, ‘I’m going to pin this kid, get this done for the team.’ Whatever it is,…

03 Feb

Reigning champs UCA, Trinity start strong in state duals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, class 1-A, Class 2-A, David Lambright, Dominic Hittepole, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Jaden Allred, Joseph Trahan, Lawson Coltrane, Lorenzo Alston, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Brennan Worrell prepares to pin Union Academy’s Nehemiah Parker during a Class 1A second-round meet Saturday. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Uwharrie Charter Academy and Trinity wrestling teams began their quests to repeat as dual team state champions with two home victories apiece Saturday. UCA, the top seed in Class 1A East Region and the Piedmont Athletic Conference champion, and Trinity, the No. 1 seed for Class 2-A in the West Region, cruised in the opening rounds. If they win regional semifinals and finals Wednesday night, they’ll be headed to state finals Saturday at the coliseum fieldhouse…

01 Feb

RCSS seeks to hire more bus drivers

Bob SuttonNewsbus drivers, Education, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — The need for bus drivers is ongoing within the Randolph County School System. Superintendent Stephen Gainey said the latest push to attract more drivers isn’t an alarm as much as a reminder that the topic remains on the minds of school administrators. “Our No. 1 job is taking care of children,” Gainey said. “We have to get them to school.” As of last week, there were 26 positions open that include responsibilities as bus drivers. That’s a reduction from a few years ago when the problem became heightened. “It has been a pretty steady need since the pandemic…

31 Jan

Bradley departs Trinity football coaching position

Bob SuttonSportsBear Bradley, Noah Bradley, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Trinity Bulldogs

TRINITY — Bear Bradley is done after two seasons as Trinity’s football coach, sensing a different type of opportunity as an assistant coach at a larger school. Bradley resigned to take a position at Greensboro Grimsley, which is the reigning Class 4A state champion. “It was basically for me,” Bradley said Friday. “Better for more career, going into one of the highest levels (of high school). For me, to be a part of that group is pretty special. … It’s a good time for me to reflect and learn.” The Bulldogs went 8-13 under Bradley, including a 3-7 record during…