Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

01 Apr

UCA’s Alston places second in wrestling nationals; Others post winning records

Bob SuttonSportsAiden Burkholder, Ayden Sumners, David Lambright, Dominic Hittepole, Jose Flores, Joseph Trahan, Lorenzo Alston, prep wrestling, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state champion, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Lorenzo Alston of Uwharrie Charter Academy came close to winning a national tournament. (Randolph Record) Lorenzo Alston of Uwharrie Charter Academy finished as a runner-up in the National High School Coaches Association’s national tournament during the weekend at Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va. The three-time state champion had the highest finish of any North Carolina entrant in all of the boys’ high school divisions. Alston, a North Carolina State commit, competed in the 145-pound division for juniors. Alston mostly breezed through the bracket until falling by 6-4 to Pennsylvania’s Michael Turi in the championship bout. Turi is…

31 Mar

Mayor touts growing pride in Asheboro’s rise

Bob SuttonEvents, Government, NewsAsheboro City Council, City of Asheboro, David Smith, John Ogburn, Randolph Community College

Randolph Community College honored a pair of city leaders during last week’s mayor’s report on campus. Mayor David Smith and former city manager John Ogburn were recognized with gifts. Left to right are RCC board of trustees vice chair James Goudy, RCC president Shah Ardalan, Smith, Ogburn and RCC board chair Reynolds Lisk. (Randolph Community College photo) ASHEBORO — David Smith said he was pleased with how his presentation to the community was received last week. The soon-to-be-retiring mayor of Asheboro gave a report to citizens as his time as elected official has entered its final year. “I just highlighted what we’ve…

25 Mar

Wheatmore wrestler Hittepole cherishes process of reaching championship moment

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, Dominic Hittepole, Kyle Spencer, nchsaa, prep wrestling, state tournament, Wheatmore Warriors

Wheatmore junior Dominic Hittepole became a state champion last month after coming one victory short of that goal a year earlier. (P.J. Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) TRINITY — Wheatmore wrestler Dominic Hittepole won matches on a regular basis for several months. Yet it seemed like a long climb, waiting for the moments that would define his season. “I’m ready for February,” he said in late January. “I’m really excited where I’m at. It matters a lot. There are a lot of people doubting me. I can’t end up in that runner-up position I was in last year.” So he took…

24 Mar

Highway construction begins on major project in Asheboro

Bob SuttonNewsAsheboro, N.C. 220, NCDOT, road construction, U.S. 64

The road widening involving U.S. 64 in Asheboro will mean ongoing construction for several years. ASHEBORO — Work on widening of the bypass from U.S. 64 to N.C. 49 in Asheboro has started and construction on the project is expected to last for several years. “It’s a lot of work,” said Cary Fine, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s resident engineer for Randolph County. This project will widen U.S. 64 to multi-lanes, from the Asheboro bypass to east of interchange at N.C. 49, replace the low clearance bridge on N.C. 49 that goes over U.S. 64, and modify ramps at…

21 Mar

Trinity wrestler learned to cope with injury on way to state title

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Coggins, Greensboro, Lawson Coltrane, nchsaa, prep wrestling, state tournament, Trinity Bulldogs

Trinity’s Lawson Coltrane was delighted after winning the Class 2A championship at 165 pounds against Connor Byrd of Bandys. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) TRINITY — By the time the postseason for the high school wrestling season arrived, Trinity senior Lawson Coltrane knew there could be obstacles. He tried not to think about one of the biggest challenges he would face. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the season. But if he wanted to achieve his goal, he would have to deal with it. “I don’t even know how to explain it,” Coltrane said. “It kind of happened…

20 Mar

‘Ride the Rise’ campaign promotes Randolph County

Bob SuttonNewsrandolph county, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation

ASHEBORO — There’s a concentrated campaign to bring business interests to Randolph County and to attract more residents. This is a targeted effort on social media launched by the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. This is titled “Ride the Rise,” an effort to showcase the county’s assets and drawn attention to the county. A video touts Randolph County as “the perfect place to live, work and visit.” It’s an effort to highlight growing industries and the need for a larger labor force. “Jobs of the future” are emphasized. “We want to redefine the narrative and showcase all the good happening…

18 Mar

Varner to return to coach Randleman’s girls’ basketball team

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Varner, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman Tigers

After a two-year absence, Brandon Varner will return to a coaching role with the Randleman girls’ basketball team. (Randolph Record file photo) RANDLEMAN — Brandon Varner is returning to the role as girls’ basketball coach at Randleman, appreciating a strong commitment from school officials to the program. “It was their passion about girls’ basketball and they really wanted me to lead that team,” Varner said. “From the get-go (principal Corey Phillips) was pretty passionate about that girls’ basketball team.” Varner stepped away following five seasons directing the Tigers in the spring of 2023. He’ll be the third coach in three…

14 Mar

State basketball finals set for Friday, Saturday in Winston-Salem

Bob SuttonSportsJoel Coliseum, nchsaa, Prep Basketball, Winston-Salem

Here’s a look at the state championship matchups for boys’ and girls’ basketball in the North Carolina High school Athletic Association. State finals will be played Friday and Saturday at Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem. Friday Class 1A boys: Southern Wake vs. Corvian Community, 1:05 p.m. Class 1A girls: East Bladen vs. Cherokee, 3:35 p.m. Class 3A girls: Western Alamance vs. Cramer, 6:05 p.m. Class 3A boys: Southern Durham vs. Greensboro Smith, 8:35 p.m. Saturday Class 4A girls: Wakefield vs. Lake Norman, 12:05 p.m. Class 4A boys: New Hanover vs. North Mecklenburg, 2:35 p.m. Class 2A girls: Southeast Alamance vs. North…

13 Mar

Lineup of annual concerts set for Asheboro; Mayor’s forum rescheduled

Bob SuttonEntertainment, Events, Government, NewsBicentennial Park, City of Asheboro, David Smith, planning board, summer concert series

ASHEBORO — The lineup of nine free concerts in Asheboro has been announced by the City of Asheboro and Downtown Asheboro Inc. The Rock’n the Park Concert Series is slated for Friday nights at Bicentennial Park and the long-standing Summer Concert Series will have another edition on Sundays. The Friday concerts begin with opening acts at 6:30 p.m. and the tribute band performance at 8 p.m. They are slated for May 30 (Live Wire), June 27 (Fix You), July 25 (Slippery When Wet) and Aug. 15 (Chicago Rewired). “This event not only creates a vibrant atmosphere for our community but…

11 Mar

NCHSAA aims to speed process to set calendar, playoff formats

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, Que Tucker, Randolph County School System, realignment, Stephen Gainey

The next step for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association is to set the playing calendar for the 2025-26 school year and devise playoff formats for the new eight-classification set-up. Expect that to be expediated. “If we had it ready, it would be out there,” said NCHSAA president Stephen Gainey, who’s also superintendent of the Randolph County School System. “We know the coaches and the ADs and principals need it.” The NCHAA board of directors completed the conference realignment process last week by approving a final version. Gainey and NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker answered questions last Thursday. The calendar…