Sports - Randolph Record

20 Jun

Ropin’ Roosters set up coop for summer baseball in Ramseur

Bob SuttonSportsCaleb Dunn, Canaan Sheppard, Craven Stadium, Jake Little, Old North State League, Providence Grove, Ramseur, Randolph Ropin' Roosters, Shane Worth, summer college baseball

Former Providence Grove pitcher Canaan Sheppard delivers a pitch for the Randolph Ropin’ Roosters. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) RAMSEUR — The Randolph Ropin’ Roosters are a new summer collegiate baseball team making their home in Ramseur. There’s a local element with the rosters along with coach Shane Worth, who coaches the high school team at Providence Grove. “They called in November,” Worth said. “I’ve coached JUCO before and this level before. It’s a learning process.” The Old North State League team is comprised mostly of junior college players or Division III players. “It don’t seem any different. It’s college…

19 Jun

Walters captures two Chargers victories at Caraway Speedway

Randolph RecordSportsBrandon Mock, Caraway speedway, Jaxson Casper, Jerry Kidd, Mason Walters, Stock car racing

Mason Walters, second from right, won two races Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Caraway Speedway photo) SOPHIA — Mason Walters won both Chargers races during Saturday night’s action at Caraway Speedway. Walters edged points leader Matthew Smith in the first of the two 20-lap races. In the second race, Walters passed Cory Wilson with two laps remaining for the victory. Wilson was the runner-up after a third-place finish in the first race. ** In UCARs, Tito Clapp held off fast qualifier Jeremy Kidd in the 25-lap race. Clapp led on an inverted restart and never relinquished the front position. Jimmy…

18 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Brady Collins

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Brady Collins, prep baskteball, prep football, Prep golf, Providence Grove Patriots

Providence Grove, football, basketball, golf Collins excelled throughout the school year, capped by his All-Piedmont Athletic Conference status in boys’ golf as a senior. Collins had big impacts during his career in football and basketball as well. He also had been a member of the baseball program. A linebacker, Collins was among the state’s leading tacklers during the 2024 regular season in football. Collins was the PAC runner-up in golf. He was a multi-time all-conference selection in football and golf. He was picked for all-conference in basketball for 2023-24.

17 Jun

Trinity hires alums as new coaches

Randolph RecordSportsMichael Sink, prep baskteball, prep soccer, Trinity Bulldogs

Molly Welch TRINITY — Molly Welch will be the new girls’ basketball coach at Trinity following the tenure of coach Michael Sink. Welch, a 2008 Trinity graduate, is a former assistant coach for the program from 2009-11 under her mother, Renee Croker Hayes. The Bulldogs are coming off an 8-17 season under coach Michael Sink. The team’s last winning season came in 2016-17. Welch has been back at Trinity since 2023 in various positions, including girls’ golf coach. She coached girls’ basketball at the middle school level. The appointment of Welch was one of several announced for Trinity teams. Each…

16 Jun

Time with ZooKeepers can be period of transition for transfers

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, Rylen Stockton, summer college baseball, transfer portal

Rylen Stockton (ZooKeepers photo) ASHEBORO — When Rylen Stockton signed up to play this summer for the Asheboro ZooKeepers, he was a member of UNC Asheville’s baseball team. Yet a couple of weeks ago when it was his turn to go to the plate for the ZooKeepers, the introduction said he plays for Maryland. That’s part of the evolving nature of collegiate summer baseball. “I just committed to Maryland a few days ago,” Stockton said June 3. So after one season with UNC Asheville, the catcher from Sarasota, Florida, will be heading elsewhere in August when he reports for his…

15 Jun

Post 45 seeks good blend with returners, newcomers

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Jackson Hill, Liberty Post 81, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh

There’s a different mix in the Randolph County Post 45 dugout this year for American Legion baseball. (P.J. Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – There might be good pieces to the puzzle for Randolph County Post 45’s baseball team. It’s largely a new roster from a year ago, so manager Ronnie Pugh will see how it all comes together after seeing encouraging results during the first stretch of the season. There are players representing numerous high schools in the area and that’s the blend Post 45 will be counting on this summer. “We played against or with each other for…

12 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jay Richards

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Class 2-A, Jay Richards, prep track and field, Randleman Tigers, State meet

Randleman, track and field Richards was the Piedmont Athletic Conference’s champion in the pole vault and he excelled in several postseason competitions. He finished his high school career last month by placing fourth in the Class 2A state meet. That marked an improvement of two spots from his junior season. Richards also played on the Randleman football team as a receiver and defensive back. *** *** *** Photo: Randleman pole vaulter Jay Richards had another strong season. (Jann Ortiz / For Randolph Record)

10 Jun

Kiser takes spot as AD for Southwestern Randolph

Randolph RecordSportshigh school athletics, Matt Kiser, Southwestern Randolph Cougars

ASHEBORO — Matt Kiser is the new athletics director at Southwestern Randolph. Kiser, also the boys’ basketball coach at the school, has been handling many of the AD duties alongside Chris Chapman. In late May after all of Southwestern Randolph's teams completed competition for the school year, Chapman announced the change. Chapman spent 10 years as athletics director. He said this is an ideal time for a transition. “Being the AD here was an absolute honor, and I appreciate everything that everyone has done to help make that job better than it is in most places,” Chapman wrote in making his announcement. Chapman…

09 Jun

ZooKeepers ride early wave as team builds

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, Davis Germann, Korey Dunbar, summer college baseball

Boaz Harper, who plays collegiately for North Carolina, takes a swing during a game for the Asheboro ZooKeepers last week. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The Asheboro ZooKeepers have excelled in several areas early in the season and the team is still coming together. Third-year coach Korey Dunbar said the opening stretch of the season has been encouraging. Through Sunday, the ZooKeepers held a 6-2 record in the Coastal Plain League. “Trying to coach these guys up on a daily basis,” Dunbar said. “It all boils down to these guys doing the work. They’re all in and they…

08 Jun

Post 45 keeps Post 81 in check, pushes win streak to three games

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Caleb Coggins, Drew Harmon, Elijah Prince, Jackson Hill, Liberty Post 81, McCrary Park, Nate Cockman, Randolph County Post 45, Sam Gore, Tate Andrews

ASHEBORO — Three Post 45 pitchers combined on a four-hitter in an 8-3 victory against visiting Post 81 on Sunday night at McCrary Park. Drew Harmon pitched five innings, giving up three runs and three hits. Prince and Tate Andrews each threw an inning of shutout relief. Post 45 (5-2) never trailed in notching a third consecutive victory. Caleb Coggins ripped a two-run double to deep center field with the bases loaded in the third. Jackson Hill doubled and scored in the fourth. But Post 81 (0-8) got back in it, courtesy of some fielding blunders, pulling within 5-3 in…