Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

31 Jul

Post 45 looks for home comforts in regional

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, McCrary Park, Post 45, Randolph County Post 45, Southeast Regional

Randolph County Post 45 players gather around manager Ronnie Pugh during the state tournament in Buies Creek. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – More than two weeks will have passed between official home games for Randolph County Post 45. But those coming this week will be the biggest of the season in the American Legion baseball’s Southeast Regional at McCrary Park. The eight-team regional will be held Wednesday through Aug. 7. Post 45 will meet the South Carolina champion Rock Hill Post 34 in the Day 1 nightcap at 6:30 p.m. After that, Randolph County’s schedule will be dictated by its…

28 Jul

David Makupson gears up for next challenges

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Makupson, high school wrestling, nchsaa, prep sports, Queens University of Charlotte, state tournament, Trinity athletics, wrestling

David Makupson of Trinity reacts to winning the Class 2-A state title at 138 pounds during the past season in a match vs. Will Nix of Bandys. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Trinity’s state champion built powerful prep career TRINITY — In order for Trinity’s David Makupson to become a high school state champion in wrestling, he took a path of nonstop pursuit of that goal. He thought he worked hard to attain that. Now, he’s aiming even higher. “I just know I have to work that much harder if I want to be on the D-I level,” Makupson said. “I got…

27 Jul

Asheboro restaurant scene undergoes changes

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsAsheboro restaurants, Dodge City Steakhouse, Full Moon Oyster Bar, restaurants

Dodge City Steakhouse has closed in Ashesboro. (Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The restaurant scene in Asheboro is on the move with a couple of notable developments. Dodge City Steakhouse on East Dixie Drive has closed. The Asheboro restaurant had been one of seven Dodge City Steakhouses in the state. Those are part of Hodge Restaurant Group, with corporate headquarters in Asheboro. Other than confirming that the Asheboro location has ceased operations, company officials declined to comment on the situation. “Due to an active lawsuit, we can’t comment at this time,” Amanda Hodge said Monday. “We do want to post (information)…

27 Jul

NC Zoo hits new milestone for attendance

Bob SuttonNews, StateAsheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce, attendance, Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau, NC Zoo, North Carolina Zoo, Pat Simmons, zoo

Visitors celebrate the 48th birthday of C’sar, an African elephant, on Monday morning at North Carolina Zoo, where officials have reported record attendance during the past year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo has been busier than ever this past year. The NC Zoo announced for the fiscal year ending June 30 that more than 1 million visitors entered the gates. The previous high for a fiscal year was 879,990 in 2018-19, based on numbers listed in the announcement. “We’re thrilled to welcome so many guests from North Carolina and around the world,” NC Zoo director Pat…

27 Jul

Transylvania player puts together special season with ZooKeepers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, summer college baseball, Transylvania baseball, Trent Youngblood

Trent Youngblood makes a play in the field for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Youngblood comes from Division III, but excels in CPL ASHEBORO – Coming from a Division III program, it was natural to wonder how Trent Youngblood would fit in with the Asheboro ZooKeepers. That hasn’t really happened – and that has been a good thing. It turns out that the versatile infielder has stood out with the ZooKeepers and across the Coastal Plain League as a whole. “I really just like competing,” Youngblood said. “It was a big adjustment coming from my school to here.” He’s…

26 Jul

Brannon takes next steps after draft

Bob SuttonSportsBaseball amateur draft, Boston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, Jake Smith, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball

Randleman catcher joins Red Sox organization RANDLEMAN – The route for Randleman catcher Brooks Brannon in professional baseball is taking form after he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox last week. Brannon said Monday, while he was traveling to Florida, that he plans to sign with the Red Sox this week in Fort Myers, Fla., where the organization has a training facility. Two days after he was selected in the draft’s ninth round last week, Brannon was headed to Boston. He reportedly was in line to receive a signing bonus that was more in line with a second- or…

23 Jul

Post 45 falls in Area 3 final, but lessons could turn fruitful

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Newman Park, Randolph County Post 45, Rowan County, state tournament, Trey Way

SALISBURY – Something good might have come out of the Area 3 championship game for Randolph County Post 45, the losing part aside. “It’s just a reality check that we can lose,” left fielder Adam Cole said. Post 45 hadn’t been in a competitive game in more than three weeks, then didn’t execute well in numerous tight spots in Friday night’s game at Newman Park. Rowan County never trailed in a 6-4 decision. The outcome halted a 12-game winning streak, but there’s plenty still ahead for Randolph County. “It’s good for us to get the opportunity to see some of…

22 Jul

Walker returns to coach Southwestern Randolph in soccer

Bob SuttonSportsJimmy Walker, PAC, prep soccer, Southwestern Randolph

Founder of Cougars program is coach again ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph has a new soccer coach for its boys’ and girls’ teams. No introduction is necessary. Jimmy Walker is back in charge of the Cougars. The man who started the soccer programs at the school is returning for what’s a third go-around with the boys’ team and a second stint with the girls’ team. “I’m familiar with everyone over there,” Walker said. “I’ve always been connected. And this is a chance to coach my daughter now.” Walker, 53, takes over for boys’ coach Brian Bagley, who stepped aside because of…

21 Jul

Right on time: Post 45 hits stride

Bob SuttonSportsAdam Cole, American Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Braylen Hayes, Randolph County Post 45, Robert Garner, Ronnie Pugh, sports, Trey Way, Tyler Parks

Tanner Marsh has been a key factor as a shortstop and pitcher for Randolph County Post 45. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Randolph County roars into postseason on hot streak ASHEBORO — It took a little time for Randolph County Post 45 to figure it out. The timing, though, is ideal. The American Legion baseball team has been riding a hot streak that began with the second part of the regular season and has extended into the postseason. “We’re coming together as a team and understanding how to play with each other,” outfielder Adam Cole said. That tends to be the sentiment.…

21 Jul

Progress defines Post 81’s bounce back

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Area 3 playoffs, Eastern Randolph Post 81, Luke Thomas, Post 81

Eastern Randolph Post 81 catcher Parker Evans tags out Stanly County’s Chance Hunt during an Area 3 playoff game. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Eastern Randolph rediscovers winning ways in breakthrough season RAMSEUR – Aside from the awkward ending, Eastern Randolph Post 81 put together a season that could set the foundation for the American Legion baseball program. That would make this year’s efforts well worth it for a team that had endured some tough times in recent seasons. “Our main goal was we wanted to bring life back to 81 baseball,” said first-year head coach Nate Cockman. Consider that accomplished. “It’s…