Bob Sutton - Randolph Record

14 Jan

It’s hard to pin down new Asheboro wrestling coach

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Braxton Walker, Cliff Thompson, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, Wes Berrier

Asheboro wrestling coach Cliff Thompson, left, shares a laugh with assistant coach Scott Bainville at a recent meet. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Cliff Thompson has coached an assortment of area wrestlers in and around Randolph County. So in his role as first-year Asheboro coach, he’s familiar with just about anyone he comes across on the mats. He has been questioned by his wrestlers: “Why everybody talk to you?” It’s because Thompson is well-known in wrestling circles. He said he’s glad he has landed with the Blue Comets. Thompson, a 1998 Randleman graduate, won a state championship as…

13 Jan

RCSS parents go on alert with phone snags

Bob SuttonNewsEducation, Randolph County School System, RCSS, Stephen Gainey

ASHEBORO — Officials with the Randolph County School System are working with a new provider to work out snags that have popped up regarding the district’s alert system. Amber Ward, the public information officer for RCSS, said a couple of phone carriers have blocked the number used for the alerts so that messages haven’t reached all their intended audiences. The situation became heightened last week when there were weather-related delays and closures. Ward said RCSS switched during the summer to a different website provider and, as part of that, it has meant a different process for the phone alert system.…

12 Jan

Asheboro picks next city manager from western North Carolina

Bob SuttonGovernment, NewsCity of Asheboro, David Smith, Donald Duncan, John Ogburn

Donald Duncan (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Donald Duncan, who has been involved in city and county government in the western part of North Carolina, will be the next city manager for Asheboro. Duncan was selected among several dozen applicants. “My family and I are excited to join the Asheboro community,” Duncan said in a statement. “I aspire to live up to the trust placed in me by a wonderful Mayor and dedicated City Council.” Duncan, 47, spent the last three years as Caldwell County manager. Before that, he was city manager in Conover for 15 years. He has bachelor’s degree in…

12 Jan

UCA wrestlers buff up with more success

Bob SuttonSportsCaden Bond, Chris Waddell, Dominic Hittepole, Lorenzo Alston, piedmont athletic conference, prep wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Caden Bond TRINITY — Uwharrie Charter Academy’s wrestling team is on target for a league championship and another bid for a dual team state title. Per usual, the Eagles have been doing so by rolling past most opponents. “We’re trying to dominate,” senior Aiden Foster said. “We’re trying to be better every day.” UCA has a new coach in Hayden Waddell, who moved into the position that his father, Chris Waddell, previously held. The elder Waddell remains involved and on the bench with the Eagles. “We’re trying to stay consistent with what we do,” said Hayden Waddell, who was the…

10 Jan

Schools in Randolph County react to NCHSAA league proposals

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Chris Chapman, Chris Waddell, Cody Moran, Corey Phillips, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, nchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, realignment, Robert Mitchell, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wes Berrier, Wheatmore Warriors

ASHEBORO – The proposed conference make-ups for the next North Carolina High School Athletic Association realignment look good to officials from most Randolph County schools. That’s not to say adjustments won’t be sought from some schools, including Southwestern Randolph. “We’re researching some things,” athletics director Chris Chapman said. The new league lineups come as the NCHSAA expands from four to eight classifications beginning in the summer to begin a four-year cycle. The initial draft of conferences was unveiled in December. Schools have until Jan. 21 to appeal for changes. “I think the state did a real good job of thinking…

09 Jan

Randleman’s champion high jumper adds dunking to portfolio, picks N.C. State for college

Bob SuttonSportsChase Farlow, North Carolina State, Prep Basketball, prep track and field, Randleman Tigers

Chase Farlow of Randleman soars toward the rim against Eastern Randolph last month. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RANDLEMAN – One the state’s top high jumpers can dunk, too. It hasn’t come automatically for Randleman senior Chase Farlow, but he has thrown a few down in game action for the Tigers boys’ basketball team. During the holiday break, Farlow also locked in his college destination. He’s heading to North Carolina State on a scholarship for track and field. Farlow said he felt the Wolfpack’s program was a good fit for him. He drew increasing interest from college track and field…

08 Jan

Asheboro church plans large missions event for weekend

Bob SuttonEvents, NewsFirst Baptist Church of Asheboro, missions, Religion

ASHEBORO -- First Baptist Church of Asheboro has an expanded program coming this weekend as part of a celebration of 25-plus years of mission work. The Church-Wide World Mission Conference on Saturday at the church’s Christian Life Center is open to members and attendees from other churches and the community at-large. The conference kicks off the 2025 mission program for the church. The church's mission team was created in 2000. Jimmy Huffman was a founding member of the church’s “On Mission Team” and he’s helping direct Saturday’s program. “This is a time of celebration and looking forward,” Huffman said. Huffman,…

07 Jan

Asheboro Blue Comets look toward conference basketball challenges

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brian Nance, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Osiris Rodriguez, Prep Basketball

Asheboro’s Elijah Woodle goes up for a shot against Chatham Central as teammate Osiris Rodriguez looks on during action in last month’s holiday tournament. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – The beginning of play in the Mid-Piedmont Conference gives the Asheboro boys’ basketball team something fresh to experience. The Blue Comets are looking for another strong effort in league competition. With a 9-3 overall record, there’s plenty to be excited about. “We just want to win,” forward Zak Blackwell said. “We put in all the work.” Veteran coach Brian Nance’s team won nine of its first 10 games. So…

04 Jan

Providence Grove tags Moran as football coach

Bob SuttonSportsCody Moran, David Hayes, Mark Heilig, prep football, Providence Grove athletics, Providence Grove Patriots

CLIMAX – Cody Moran is the new football at Providence Grove, giving the school’s athletics director an additional role but one that he covets. “That’s what I got into coaching for was to be a head coach,” he said. Moran will be the fourth coach in four years for the Patriots. They’re coming off a 3-7 season, which was the program’s first losing record since 2017. Moran has been on the coaching staff since 2019, handling various duties. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator. Now the 2013 Randleman graduate is in charge of the program. “I’m real big on…

31 Dec

2024 sports in review: Title times come for area teams

Bob SuttonSports2024, Asheboro Zookeepers, Cam Letterlough, College baseball, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Ellie Garrison, Prep baseball, prep football, prep soccer, prep wrestling, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Tim Kelly, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

There was lots to celebrate for the Southwestern Randolph softball team at the 2024 state finals. (Randolph Record file photo) There were no shortage of special moments and achievements for area athletes in 2024 Championship appearances on the state level for several schools were among Randolph County sports highlights in 2024. The year was sprinkled with significant success stories. Four different schools captured team championships, while teams from two schools were left with the heartbreak of state runner-up finishes to accompany a sense of accomplishment. Here’s a review of some notable 2024 area sports achievements: Title moments In some cases,…