Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

31 Jan

UCA, Trinity hold top seeds for state duals; Eastern Randolph, Wheatmore, Asheboro also qualify

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, Cliff Thompson, Dominic Hittepole, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Brennan Worrell, top, works against Avery County’s King Orvosh in a 120-pound match last year in the Class 1A dual team state finals. (Randolph Record) Uwharrie Charter Academy and Trinity wrestling teams will begin their quests to repeat as dual team state champions with home meets Saturday. UCA, the top seed in Class 1A East Region and the Piedmont Athletic Conference champion, is home against Lakewood. The winner meets either Union Academy or Albemarle in the second round. Trinity begins Class 2A competition as the top seed in the West Region, facing Brevard and then, if it…

30 Jan

Trinity wrestlers eye another team title

Bob SuttonSportsAiden Burkholder, Brandon Coggins, Class 2-A, Dual team state finals, Jaden Allred, Joseph Trahan, Lawson Coltrane, nchsaa, prep wrestling, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity wrestling coach Brandon Coggins reacts during a key moment in last year’s dual team state final against Seaforth. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) TRINITY — Trinity’s wrestling team has a hard act to follow after what the Bulldogs did last winter. But they say they’re up for the challenge as they’ll try to repeat as Class 2A dual team state champions. “It was a surreal moment,” junior heavyweight Joseph Trahan said of last year’s title. “It definitely will be a lot of pressure. We have the ability to do it again.” That’s the mindset for the Bulldogs when the…

29 Jan

Randleman boys come through in clutch, top Eastern Randolph in PAC showdown

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, Connor Cassidy, Daniel Mitchell, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Johnny Thomas, Julian Brooks, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Timothy Brower, Tyshaun Goldston, Will Stalker

Randleman’s Tyshaun Goldston drives against Eastern Randolph’s Will Stalker. (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN — That big-game feel worked out for Randleman’s boys’ basketball team Tuesday night. The Tigers tangled with visiting Eastern Randolph in the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s must-see game, winning 80-72 by producing in clutch situations. “We wanted to come out and prove that we are the team in the conference,” said Randleman senior forward Chase Farlow, who scored a career-high 25 points. Tyshaun Goldston poured in 21 points, while Connor Cassidy (12 points), Jireh Price (11 points) and Pacey Wagner (10 points) also were big…

28 Jan

Controlled burn means progress for Randolph CC, training for firefighters in Liberty

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsLiberty, Randolph Community College, Scott Kidd, Shah Ardalan

Firefighters pose in front of the house in Liberty at Saturday’s controlled burn on Randolph Community College’s new property. (Liberty Fire Department) LIBERTY — A controlled burn of a building on Randolph Community College’s Liberty campus served multiple purposes Saturday. The event marked a step in the plan to further develop RCC’s Liberty property. Shah Ardalan, president of RCC, called the event part of the process in moving toward the college’s mission. “This controlled burn is more than a training exercise,” Ardalan said. “It is a tangible representation of our commitment to Access and Success for Randolph County and beyond.…

25 Jan

Randleman’s new football leader brings deep family coaching roots

Bob SuttonSportsDavid Diamont, piedmont athletic conference, prep football, Randleman Tigers, Shane Timmons

David Diamont says he’ll work to build relationships as Randleman’s new football coach. (Photo courtesy Randleman athletics) RANDLEMAN – David Diamont saw his father lead high school football programs for decades and knew he wanted to do the same. Now he’ll have that chance at Randleman. “This definitely is a dream of mine,” Diamont said. “It’s new territory for me. I’m excited to get to work and learn.” Diamont, 35, had been offensive coordinator at Burns for the past three seasons. He takes over for Shane Timmons, who stepped aside following his fifth season as Randleman’s head coach because of…

24 Jan

Area schools don’t shift in second NCHSAA league draft

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, Randolph County School System, realignment, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Stephen Gainey, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

There were no changes involving Randolph County schools in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s second draft of conference alignments. That revised draft was released this week. “What I gather is our schools are pretty happy where they are,” said Stephen Gainey, superintendent of the Randolph County School System. RCSS has six high schools as part of the NCHSAA. Gainey began a term as NCHSAA president last summer, so has a keen eye on the topic. Appeals and comments from schools regarding the conference make-ups are due Tuesday. The realignment committee is scheduled to meet again Feb. 3-4. “A…

21 Jan

Title chase takes different complexion for PAC girls

Bob SuttonSportsPrep Basketball, Randleman Tigers, Scott Tyson, Seth Baxter, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Southwestern Randolph’s Gracie Hodgin creates a defensive presence against Randleman’s Chenleigh Robinson during a holiday tournament game last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Randleman’s girls’ basketball team isn’t much interested in losing the grip it has held on the Piedmont Athletic Conference the past several years. “We’ll see if there’s a changing of the guard,” first-year coach Scott Tyson said. But the Tigers will have work to do to hold ownership of the league championship for a fourth consecutive year. Southwestern Randolph has been a contender in the past and this might be the season that the Cougars take…

20 Jan

Prep wrestling: Busy Trinity team claims tourney title; Others win in Jet Invitational

Bob SuttonSportsAiden Burkholder, Bliss Joyce, Briana Joyce, David Lambright, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Edgar Vasquez, Lawson Coltrane, Maddox Carson, Mitchell Freeman, prep wrestling, Providence Grove Patriots, Simeon Hammett, Stephen Cross, Trinity Bulldogs, Wheatmore Warriors

Five Trinity wrestlers grabbed individual titles and the Bulldogs were team champions in the Sarah Wilkes Invitational on Saturday in Eden. It was the first of two tournaments in three days that at least some of the Bulldogs participated in. Aiden Burkholder (106 pounds), Stephen Cross (113), Edgar Vasquez (126), Simeon Hammett (132) and Lawson Coltrane (165) were the champs for Trinity, which also had three runners-up. Among 12 teams, Trinity was the champion with 198½ points, with host Eden Morehead the runner-up at 179. Burkholder defeated Southeast Guilford’s Jacob Bone with a 56-second pin in the final. Cross edged…

17 Jan

Asheboro alters traffic at intersection

Bob SuttonNewsCity of Asheboro, traffic, Trevor Nuttall

Here's the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro. (City of Asheboro photo) ASHEBORO — There's a new all-way stop at the intersection of Worth Street and Main Street in Asheboro — and more all-way stops could be on the way. The change is a provisional conversion, according to city officials. It's part of a potential cost-saving switch, assistant city manager Trevor Nuttall said. The city announced the decision to analyze the intersection after reviewing traffic data and assessing the cost to replace an out-of-date signal. A replacement would be estimated to exceed $70,000. "The equipment, which is at least 30 years old,…

16 Jan

New RCEDC official ready to support industry growth

Bob SuttonBusiness, NewsDavid Hursey, randolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

David Hursey (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO — David Hursey sees vast possibilities as he takes over as the new Existing Industry Director of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. “There’s a lot going on here,” Hursey said. “By and large, the county has been well-led. One of the things I want to do is promote the good things that are happening.” Hursey, who began in the role at the beginning of the year, will lead RCEDC’s Business Retention and Expansion program, addressing industry-specific challenges. He said that’s where most of his energy will be directed, seeking to assist businesses with growth.…