Blog - Randolph Record

29 Jul

Former Jordan-Matthews, Asheboro coach Stutts passes away

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Jeff Stutts, Jordan-Matthews, obituary, Prep Basketball

Jeff Stutts died on July 20 at age 62. (Courtesy photo) By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal SILER CITY – Jordan-Matthews Hall of Famer Jeff Stutts, the former girls’ basketball coach who led the Jets to the 2012 2A state title, died July 20 at the age of 62. Stutts lost his battle to cancer, per an update posted on Facebook by the Jordan-Matthews Booster Club. Before being inducted into the Jordan-Matthews athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, Stutts taught at Jordan-Matthews from 1984-2013, serving as the head coach for girls’ basketball and track and track and field. He had…

28 Jul

Brannon reflects on life changes early in pro baseball career

Bob SuttonSportsBoston Red Sox, Brooks Brannon, minor leagues, Randleman baseball, Randleman Tigers

Former Randleman slugger Brooks Brannon is playing for a second year in a row for the Salem Red Sox. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) SALEM, Va. – About two years since Brooks Brannon was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, the former Randleman slugger is inclined to talk plenty about changes. Don’t worry, he still projects as a power-hitting prospect as he’s in the early stages of what he hopes will be a climb in the Red Sox organization. He categorizes alterations in his life as positives, a list that includes immersion in faith and a recent engagement. That’s a…

28 Jul

UCA student completes agricultural program

Randolph RecordNewsEducation, Future Farmers of America, Jazmin Palma, Uwharrie Charter Academy

ASHEBORO – Rising senior Jazmin Palma of Uwharrie Charter Academy was recognized for completing NC Farm Bureau’s Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders program. The program assists rising high school seniors from across the state in exploring agricultural-related college majors available at the state’s two land-grant universities – North Carolina A&T and North Carolina State. She’s president of the UCA chapter of the Future Farmers of America. Palm has been a cross country runner, wrestler and soccer player for UCA.

27 Jul

Area Golf Notes: Davidson ends 50th in Carolinas Amateur

Randolph RecordSportsAmateur golf, Asheboro, Sam Davidson, UNCG

Sam Davidson of Asheboro tied for 50th place in the Carolinas Amateur at the Cliffs at Mountain Park in Marietta, S.C. Davidson shot rounds of 72, 71, 80 and 76 for a 11-over-par 299 total. During the past year, he played his first season at UNC Greensboro after transferring from Guilford College. He has one season of collegiate eligibility remaining. Elon University golfer Garrett Risner from Holly Springs won with an 11-under score in the 137-golfer field. By winning, the rising senior has an exemption into the U.S. Amateur in Minnesota. ** Several Randolph County golfers were involved with family-style…

27 Jul

Store closing adds vacant spot in Asheboro Mall

Randolph RecordBusiness, NewsAsheboro, asheboro mall, Asheboro stores

Here’s the spot that Rue21 had occupied in Asheboro Mall. (Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – There’s another vacant store space in Asheboro Mall. Rue21, a store specializing in teen apparel, filed for bankruptcy this spring and closed its stores. Asheboro Mall was previously called Randolph Mall. The spot previously occupied by Rue21 has been vacant for weeks. The mall’s website has about 30 businesses listed on its directory, including stand-alone outparcels. There are at least 15 businesses that formerly operated out of the mall, though there appears to be few vacant spaces this summer. Gorilla Pizza, with a storefront near the…

26 Jul

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Logann Beaver

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Eastern Randolph athletics, Logann Beaver, piedmont athletic conference, Prep softball, Prep volleyball

Eastern Randolph, volleyball/softball Beaver played multiple sports with the Wildcats and was a key contributor along the way. She was an All-Piedmont Athletic Conference selection for volleyball and softball as a senior. In volleyball, Beaver led the team in aces and was in the top two among the Wildcats in hitting percentage and kills per set. She was a key offensive contributor in softball. Beaver, an outside hitter and middle hitter, has committed to play volleyball for Davidson-Davie Community College. Beaver had been a three-sport athlete for the Wildcats, but didn’t play for the basketball team during the past season.…

25 Jul

Southwestern Randolph’s Popp cherishes tennis success, NCHSAA award

Bob SuttonSportsnchsaa, piedmont athletic conference, Prep tennis, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

Allie Popp (Courtesy of NCHSAA) ASHEBORO – Allie Popp’s senior year at Southwestern Randolph was her best on the tennis courts and beyond. Even with her playing days done, she was reaping awards. Popp was presented with the Pat Gainey Award, which is a student scholarship in memory of Pat Gainey of Dunn. The criteria includes at least a cumulative GPA of 3.2, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate athletic success during the high school career and demonstrate respect for coaches and teammates. Popp was an ideal fit for that honor. “She is a natural leader who leads by example,…

24 Jul

Drivers endure long race card at Caraway Speedway

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Stock car racing

SOPHIA – It was largely an endurance test for drivers during the weekend at Caraway Speedway. Saturday’s race card wasn’t completed until Sunday afternoon. It ended with Jason Garwood in front of Rudy Hartley for the Mod 4s feature as the final event of the card that was extended because of weather problems. In Challengers, pole sitter Enoch McNeill placed first ahead of Brody Duggins across 35 laps. Duggins stayed in the division’s points lead, while Bryson Pickard was in third place followed by Cody Griffin and Jeffrey Wood. In 602 Modifieds, Jaxson Casper was the race winner ahead of…

23 Jul

Candidates line up for Archdale, Trinity city councils

Bob SuttonNews, PoliticsArchdale, Lewis Dorsett, Trinity

There’s no opponent for Archdale mayor in November ASHEBORO – Archdale mayor Lewis Dorsett will run unopposed in November, but in Trinity as well as Archdale there will be contested races for city council. Multiple candidates for several spots after the filing period ended last week. Dorsett was also unopposed the 2022 election to continue into a role that he held since the summer of 2021, when he shifted from mayor pro tem to major when a vacancy occurred upon the retirement of Bert Stone. Dorsett is seeking another two-year term. Also in Archdale, candidates for an at-large spot on…

23 Jul

Former standout McPeak holds Asheboro ZooKeepers coaching role

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Lenoir-Rhyne, summer college baseball, Tyler McPeak

Tyler McPeak (Photo courtesy of Asheboro ZooKeepers) Ex-teammates view Tyler McPeak in a different capacity ASHEBORO – Tyler McPeak found so much to appreciate about the Asheboro ZooKeepers that he came back for another season. But he’s a coach now instead of one of the best players. McPeak is making the transition during the Coastal Plain League season after finishing his final collegiate season in the spring for Lenoir-Rhyne. “I was fortunate to play for Coach (Korey) Dunbar last summer,” McPeak said. “I figured I’d give coaching a shot.” McPeak was second-team All-South Atlantic Conference first baseman for Lenoir-Ryne this…