Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

01 Aug

Asheboro ZooKeepers cap strange, twisting season

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

Southwestern Randolph alum Bryce Marsh had a strong season in power numbers for the Asheboro ZooKeepers. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Marsh’s CPL-best homer count among team’s highlights ASHEBORO – Things became better for the Asheboro ZooKeepers during the latter part of the Coastal Plain League season. But not good enough to qualify for the postseason. A somewhat awkward season came to a close with Saturday night’s 12-8 loss to the visiting Martinsville Mustangs at McCrary Park. Asheboro’s 14-34 record in CPL games was a league-worst mark in the 14-team circuit. The ZooKeepers were also 2-2 on non-league games. “It has…

01 Aug

Area Golf Notes: Long playoff ensues at Asheboro course

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Municipal Golf Course, Carolinas Golf Association, Dogwood State Junior, Golf

There was drama last month at Asheboro Municipal Golf Course for the North Carolina Junior Boys’ 14-and-under championship. That’s because it took John John Santospago of Charlotte seven playoff holes in order to secure the championship. Hank Johnson of Newland settled for second place. They played Nos. 1 and 9 repeatedly during the playoff for five holes until moving to No. 2, with both golfers making par. Then at par-4 No. 3, Santospago used a par to claim the title. Santospago and Johnson shot two-round totals of 4-over 144, while Jackson Bryce of Cary was third at 145 in the…

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…