Sports - Randolph Record

14 May

Randleman keeps the faith, overcomes Trinity in state-playoff baseball thriller

Bob SuttonSportsBraxton Walker, Brody Little, Class 2-A, Ethan Willard, Jackson Hill, Jake Riddle, Jake Smith, John Kirkpatrick, Lincoln Coble, McCrary Park, Prep baseball, Randleman Tigers, Ryan Spencer, state playoffs, Tate Andrews, Trinity Bulldogs

Randleman’s Jackson Hill heads for the plate to score the winning run in the Tigers’ Class 2A state-playoff victory against Trinity. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — Members of the Randleman baseball team were certain they’d figure out a way to win the third-round round game of the Class 2A state playoffs against Trinity. They just weren't quite sure how. “We always had faith that we were going to win the game,” infielder Tate Andrews said. “That helps us not let the pressure get to us.” The Tigers erased a two-run deficit and then went to the bottom of…

14 May

Eastern Randolph hits hot spot at right time, advances to fourth round in baseball playoffs

Bob SuttonSportsCade McCallum, class 1-A, Eastern Randolph athletics, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, McCrary Park, Nate Cockman, Prep baseball, Rayden West, state playoffs

Cade McCallum delivers a pitch during Tuesday’s game in the Class 1A state playoffs at McCrary Park. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO — The timing is right for Eastern Randolph to be playing its best baseball of the season. The Wildcats won their third consecutive game in the Class 1A state playoffs with Tuesday’s 4-1 victory against Mountain Heritage at McCrary Park. “We’re getting hot at the right time and it’s a great time to do it,” said Cade McCallum, who pitched a five-hitter. The Wildcats (14-12-1), who are seeded No. 15 in the West Region, move to…

14 May

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kendall Jarrell

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Kendall Jarrell, piedmont athletic conference, prep soccer, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Uwharrie Charter Academy, girls’ soccer Jarrell has been a key contributor for the Piedmont Athletic Conference champions. She averaged more than one goal and one assist per game during the regular season as the second-leading scorer among the Eagles. That included one goal and one assist in the regular-season finale in a 9-0 romp last week against Southwestern Randolph. Jarrell, a senior forward, helped UCA to a 15-3 record going into this week’s Class 1A state playoffs.

13 May

Prep track and field: Randleman’s regional champs, others head to states

Randolph RecordSportsAaron Tyson, Asheboro Blue Comets, Chase Farlow, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Gracie Beane, Laurel Bernhardt, Mirianna Corea, prep track and field, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, State meet, Wheatmore Warriors

Randolph County will have entrants in three classifications in the high school track and field state championships. Led by a strong effort by Randleman in Class 2A regionals, there will be some high seeds for the meets at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. The Class 1A and Class 3A state meets are set for Friday. The Class 2A and Class 4-A state competitions will be held Saturday. Here’s a look at regional results: Class 2A Randleman has seven qualifiers in the state meet, though senior Chase Farlow is entered in three boys’ events. Gracie Beane and Jaquline McDaniel advanced in…

12 May

Davidson secures 100-lap victory at Caraway

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Grant Davidson, Stock car racing

SOPHIA — Grant Davidson notched another victory in the Limited Late Models at Caraway Speedway. Davidson set the fastest qualifying time Saturday night before winning the 100-lap race. Following a redraw, Davidson overcame Bryson Brinkley to win the race. Annabeth Crum was third, followed by London McKenzie and Rusty Daniels. In Chargers, Matthew Smith held off 2024 track champion Brody Duggins, who was in his first start of the year at the speedway. Justin Hathcock was third, followed by Cody Griffin and Corey Wilson. The 602 Modified winner was Joel Belanger, who was moved up to the top spot when…

11 May

UCA holds highest seed among county teams for girls’ soccer state playoffs

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Class 3-A, prep soccer, Providence Grove Patriots, Randleman Tigers, state playoffs, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles, Wheatmore Warriors

Uwharrie Charter Academy girls' soccer coach Frankie Aguilar receives a water bath after the team defeated Wheatmore 2-1 on Monday to clinch the Piedmont Athletic Conference championship. Both teams are in the field for the state playoffs, which begin Monday. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Piedmont Athletic Conference champion Uwharrie Charter Academy is the No. 3 seed for the Class 1A West Region state playoffs in girls' soccer. The Eagles open the postseason Monday against No. 30 seed South Davidson. In Class 2A, seventh-seeded Providence Grove will start the postseason at home against No. 26 seed Black Mountain Owen. Wheatmore,…

10 May

UCA, E. Randolph, Randleman, Trinity advance in baseball; Cougars, Tigers, Eagles move on in softball

Randolph RecordSportsAlyssa Harris, Braxton Walker, class 1-A, Class 2-A, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Jake Riddle, Macie Crutchfield, Prep baseball, Prep softball, Randleman Tigers, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, Trinity Bulldogs, Uwharrie Charter Academy Eagles

Randleman's Jake Riddle made key contributions as the Tigers advanced through two rounds of the baseball state playoffs. (Randolph Record file photo) ASHEBORO — Two-time defending state champion Uwharrie Charter Academy pulled out a 3-2 baseball victory against 12th-seeded East Wilkes in the Class 1-A second round Friday. Brett Smith and Logun Wilkins combined to strike out 10 batters for the fifth-seeded Eagles, who travel to fourth-seeded North Stokes in the third round. UCA opened the playoffs with a 14-2 stomping of No. 28 seed Bessemer City. DJ Brandon, who drove in two runs, and Brody Eagle both supplied three…

09 May

Ejections, behavior within NCHSAA concern RCSS superintendent

Bob SuttonSportsEducation, nchsaa, Randolph County School System, Stephen Gainey, Uwharrie Charter Academy

Stephen Gainey (Courtesy photo) A rise in ejections across sports in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association has raised the concern of Stephen Gainey. Gainey, the superintendent of the Randolph County School System, is serving as NCHSAA president. “I’m seeing sportsmanship issues,” Gainey said last week after the association’s spring meetings wrapped up. “I see it on the field. I see it in the stands. And it’s very concerning to me.” The number of ejections of players has increased dramatically during the 2024-25 school year, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said. For Gainey, who regularly attends sports competitions in Randolph…

08 May

Eastern Randolph’s state champion adds distance to throws

Bob SuttonSportsclass 1-A, discus, Eastern Randolph Wildcats, Mirianna Corea, prep track and field, State championships

Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea says she’s continuing to improve as she aims for another state championship in track and field. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) RAMSEUR — Winning a state championship in track and field was a good thing for Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea last year. Now it’s getting even better. Corea has exceeded past marks in the discus and shot put with new personal bests as the final month of the season approaches. “It has been going good. I’ve hit some good PRs in both shot put and discus,” Corea said earlier this spring. “Last year’s PR was 118…

07 May

Ex-Randleman pitcher Way undergoes surgery

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, College baseball, Liberty Flames, Randleman Tigers, Seth Way, Tanner Marsh, Trey Cooper

Seth Way (Liberty photo) Former Randleman baseball pitcher Seth Way, in his first year in college, has undergone Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Way is in his freshman year at Liberty, though he hasn’t pitched for the Flames because of the ailment. “I’m currently a little over four weeks post-surgery,” he said last weekend. Way said he has been involved with the Liberty team on a regular basis in terms of off-field work. He’s not on road trips with the Flames. Way was the left fielder on Randleman’s 2022 state championship team as a sophomore. When he wasn’t…