Blog - Randolph Record

28 Jul

In review: UCA’s state titles highlight top area moments

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Brecken Snotherly, Connor Carter, Eastern Randolph athletics, Hunter Atkins, Providence Grove athletics, Randleman athletics, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Tanner Marsh, UCA wrestling, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Wheatmore athletics

Members of the Uwharrie Charter Academy wrestling team celebrate a dual team state championship last winter. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) There were championships and near misses and an assortment of other superlatives associated with the 2022-23 school year for Randolph County high school teams. Uwharrie Charter Academy racked up a pair of team state championships in Class 1-A. The Eagles secured the dual team wrestling title and a few months later picked up the baseball crown. ** Eastern Randolph’s boys’ basketball team had its most successful season ever by advancing to the Class 1-A state championship game. Wilson Prep won the…

27 Jul

Check on college-bound athletes from area schools

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Cade Hill, Calvin Smith, Caroline Wright, Diego Gutierrez, Dylan Hodges, Jake Little, Mid-Piedmont Conference, piedmont athletic conference, Trinity athletics

Jake Little of Trinity made a big impact in baseball for the Bulldogs and he’ll continue playing in 2024. (File photo) Here’s a check on some of Randolph County’s top athletes from the Class of 2023 with their college intentions: ** Asheboro’s Nicolas Chavez signed to go to UNC Asheville for men’s track and field. He was a hurdler and pole vaulter for the Blue Comets. ** Katelyn Thomas of Asheboro is headed to Anderson (S.C.) University to play women’s tennis. She has been on the Mid-Piedmont Conference all-conference team the past two years. ** Diego Gutierrez of Asheboro is…

26 Jul

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Mackenzie Roach

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, randolph county sports

Randleman, softball Roach played her final season with the Tigers in what was a softball career that began as a freshman. She was listed as an infielder and pitcher. The Tigers were off to a strong start to this past season, with victories in three of their first four games before fading to a 7-16 record. Roach also was selected as an All-Piedmont Athletic Conference performer in girls’ swimming. ** During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.

26 Jul

NC Zoo working to secure funding to rebuild aviary

Scott PelkeyNewsaviary, closed, NC Zoo

ASHEBORO — The Aviary at the North Carolina Zoo is set to be demolished, but the Zoo is working on securing funds and putting together plans to rebuild. With its 93 species of birds, hundreds of tropical plants, and an environment that mimics the tropical rainforest, the Aviary has been a guest favorite since it first opened in 1982. In January 2022, the Zoo announced that the Aviary would be closing due to a potential threat of Avian Flu, leaving many guests with the impression that this closure would be temporary. However, during the closure, a team of engineers was…

26 Jul

Randolph Board of Education recognizes educator award

Ryan Henkel, North State JournalNewsRandolph County Board of Education

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County Schools Board of Education met Monday, July 17, with primarily recognitions and informational items presented. The board opened the meeting by welcoming Randolph County Schools’ new public information officer, Amber Ward, who joined the staff following Tim Moody’s retirement after nearly 10 years of service to the county. “She’s going to be good,” said Board Chair Gary Cooke. “She’s one of us. We’ll miss Tim, though. He did a great job.” The board was presented with an update on their FY 2023-24 local budget. “The county commission approved our budget on the 19th of June,”…

24 Jul

Candidates secure spots for November ballot in Randolph County

Bob SuttonNews, PoliticsAsheboro City Schools, election, Election 2023, Randolph County Board of Elections

ASHEBORO – There will be five candidates for three spots on the City of Asheboro City Council. Candidates to file by Friday’s deadline are Eddie Burks, Jane Hughes Redding, Charles Swiers, Harry Okeke and Joey Trogdon. Burks, Redding and Swiers are incumbents. ** For the Asheboro City Schools Board of Education the candidates are incumbents Gidget Kidd, Ryan Patton and Gwenn Williams along with Melissa Calloway and Todd Dulaney. ** Mayor Filmore York will run unopposed in Liberty. Greg Carpenter and incumbent Don Herndon are the filers for Liberty town commissioner. ** In Franklinville, Priscellia Dunn and L. McKay Whatley…

24 Jul

York, Murphy win in Late Models; Challengers race becomes rough, feisty at Caraway

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Jason York, Late Models division, Stock car racing

Chase Murphy was a trophy winner in Late Models on Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – Jason York and Chase Murphy were winners in the Late Models class Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. Twin features were held in many classes. York had the fastest qualifying time and went on to win the first race in the division. Former NASCAR Cup Series driver Jeremy Mayfield placed fifth in the first race and 10th in the second race. Murphy moved to the front at the beginning of the second race and went on to win. Camden Thomas was the…

22 Jul

ZooKeepers deal with curves late in season

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, McCrary Park

Asheboro ZooKeepers outfielder Carter French reaches for second base on a slide earlier this season. French plays for North Carolina during the college season. (PJ. Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Highs and lows, comings and goings. That sums up what the Asheboro ZooKeepers have been going through lately. In the past week’s games, they’ve gone 2-2. Saturday night’s 12-1 whipping of the Holly Springs Salamanders at McCrary Park came with numerous highlights, including the first home run for Lleyton Lackey. The game was reduced to seven innings by the mercy rule, with Win Scott firing a four-hitter. Yet it’s generally hard…

21 Jul

Piedmont Athletic Conference all-conference spring lists

Randolph RecordSportsConnor Carter, Eastern Randolph athletics, Ellie Garrison, Hunter Atkins, piedmont athletic conference, Providence Grove athletics, Randleman athletics, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Summer Bowman, Trinity athletics, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics, Wheatmore athletics

Hunter Atkins of Randleman takes a swing during a Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament game against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Here’s a list of the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s major award winners and all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Player of the Year: Hunter Atkins (Randleman) Co-Pitchers of the Year: Austin Lemons (Randleman), Cade Hill (Trinity) Coach of the Year: Ryan Spencer (Trinity) All-conference Randleman: Hunter Atkins, Austin Lemons, Shawn Miller, Seth Way. Trinity: Jaxson Coble, Cade Hill, Jake Little, Landon Mowery. Southwestern Randolph: Easton Clapp, Adam Cole, Tyler Parks. Wheatmore: Payton Mooney, Mason Rich. Providence Grove: Joe Coltrane, Logan Fox, Andrew Thomas. Eastern Randolph: Samuel Asbill,…

20 Jul

NC East-West All-Star Games: Asheboro players make unique marks in soccer showcase

Bob SuttonSportsBrecken Snotherly, Calvin Smith, Cristian Ortiz, Gracyn Hall, North Carolina East-West All-Star Game

Brecken Snotherly of Eastern Randolph heads up the court with the ball during Monday night’s North Carolina East-West All-Star Game for girls’ basketball at the Greensboro Coliseum. Snotherly played for the West team. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) BROWNS SUMMIT – Asheboro’s Calvin Smith and Cristian Ortiz each did something no other players in the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game could claim. They were issued the only yellow cards during the boys’ soccer game Tuesday night at MacPherson Stadium. “They were both kind of tactical,” Smith said of the infractions. “They weren’t cynical.” Those moments aside, the duo from Asheboro embraced the…