Sports - Randolph Record

24 Jun

Wheatmore distance standout Hazelwood ready to run at different pace

Bob SuttonSportsClass 2-A, nchsaa, prep track and field, Wheatmore athletics, Zach Hazelwood

Zach Hazelwood of Wheatmore relaxes after his final high school race last month in the Class 2A state meet. (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) GREENSBORO – Zach Hazelwood is looking forward to more relaxing runs after a stellar high school career as the area’s top distance runner. Hazelwood finished his senior year for Wheatmore and figured it’s time to back off from the running pace. “I’m just about ready to be done,” he said following his final high school competition last month at North Carolina A&T’s track in Greensboro. Hazelwood placed 10th in the 3,200 meters in the Class 2A…

23 Jun

Asheboro fills all-conference slots on track and field, girls’ soccer teams plus top baseball pitcher

Randolph RecordSportsAsheboro Blue Comets, Carlisle Dozier, Connor Adams, Elijah Woodle, Jalaya Showers, Lance Everhart, Mid-Piedmont Conference, Prep baseball, Prep golf, prep soccer, Prep softball, Prep tennis, prep track and field, Sion Murrain, Valentino Mark

Asheboro senior Abby Becker heads the ball during a girls’ soccer game against Oak Grove during the past season. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record) Mid-Piedmont Conference all-conference Here’s a list of the Mid-Piedmont Conference’s major award winners plus Asheboro’s all-conference selections for spring sports: Baseball Co-Players of the Year: Justin Mabe (North Davidson), Dawson Shelton (Oak Grove) Pitcher of the Year: Connor Adams (Asheboro) Coach of the Year: Matt Griffin (North Davidson) Asheboro: Connor Adams, Shane Immel Boys’ golf Golfer of the Year: Lincoln Newton (Oak Grove) Coach of the Year: Will Essick (Oak Grove) Asheboro: None Girls’ Soccer Offensive Player of the…

22 Jun

Hunting and fishing permit costs going up July 1

Randolph RecordNews, Sportsfishing, hunting, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

The cost of North Carolina hunting and fishing permits are going up this year, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission announced this week. The license fees, which make up about a quarter of the agency's revenue, are rising around 20 percent, with the costs indexed to the rise in inflation since the last fee increase in January 2020. The revenue will go toward the NCWRC's own rising costs, which have been affected by inflation. The price adjustments are based on the Consumer Price Index changes, with all licenses, permits, stamps and certifications rising by 18.75 percent rounded up to the…

21 Jun

Trinity state champ Hardister discovers right combinations

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Coggins, Gavin Hardister, prep wrestling, state tournament, Trinity Bulldogs

Gavin Hardister reacts at the end of the state final. (Photo provided) TRINITY – Gavin Hardister had a solid wrestling background as he came up through high school. Then the Trinity wrestler made his final season his best when he became a Class 2A state champion last winter. “I feel like I was always good enough,” he said. “There was always a moment that got in my head. (As a senior), I didn’t let the moment be too big.” He’ll take the next step soon as he heads to Iowa Western Community College, which is a National Junior College Athletic…

20 Jun

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Hayleigh Thompson

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, Class 2-A, Hayleigh Thompson, nchsaa, Prep softball, Southwestern Randolph Cougars, state champion, state playoffs

Southwestern Randolph, softball Thompson played a key role as the Cougars captured the Class 2A state championship this spring. The senior had several crucial plate appearances during Southwestern Randolph’s postseason run. She also was the team’s first baseman, helping the infield for a team that rode its pitching and defense for much of the regular season and the state playoffs. Thompson’s single in the final inning of Game 2 of the state championship series against Midway sparked the title-clinching rally. She also had a single and drove in a run during the first game of the title series. Southwestern Randolph…

19 Jun

New coach Scott Tyson sees Randleman girls’ basketball job as ideal

Bob SuttonSportsBrandon Varner, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, Randleman athletics, Scott Tyson, Steve Rightmyer

Scott Tyson (Courtesy photo) RANDLEMAN – When the Randleman girls’ basketball coaching position became open, Scott Tyson saw that as an ideal situation. So he’s back in a coaching capacity after he was hired as the third coach in three years for the Tigers. “It’s really the tradition that Coach (Brandon) Varner started and Coach (Steve) Rightmyer continued last year,” Tyson said. Tyson coached the girls’ team at Southern Guilford in 2022-23 before taking the past school year off from a coaching role. He said he’s happy to be back. While in high school, Tyson spent three years at Western…

18 Jun

American Legion baseball: Post 45 edges Post 81 again in intra-county clash

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Caleb Dunn, Liberty Post 81, Nate Cockman, Parker Kines, Pierce Leonard, Post 45, Post 81, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh

Post 45 pitcher Parker Kines (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Parker Kines wasn’t certain he would play American Legion baseball, but it has turned out to be a good thing for him and Randolph County Post 45 so far this season. Kines was on the mound for a strong start as Post 45 topped Liberty Post 81 for the second time in five nights, a 6-4 decision Monday night at McCrary Park. “I wasn’t planning on this,” he said of the summer activity. “But my coach (at Wheatmore) said it would be a good idea.” Kines, a rising…

17 Jun

Ex-Randleman standout Atkins looks for new baseball home

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Atkins, Randleman Tigers, Randolph County Post 45, summer college baseball, UNCG

Hunter Atkins (Bob Sutton / Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Former Randleman baseball standout Hunter Atkins said playing for the Asheboro ZooKeepers this summer is a treat. It’s also serving as an audition. After one season in UNC Greensboro’s program, Atkins has entered the NCAA transfer portal. That puts more emphasis on the third baseman’s production for the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League. “Trying to get some stats up and see if I can get to a good home,” Atkins said. Atkins had a redshirt season in 2024, so he never took the field for UNCG. The Spartans had a…

16 Jun

Rose claims trio of races at Caraway Speedway

Randolph RecordSportsCaraway speedway, Corey Rose, Stock car racing, Thad Moffitt

Corey Rose made several visits to victory lane Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. (Courtesy photo) SOPHIA – Corey Rose won three races in three different divisions Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. Rose edged teammate Bentley Black to prevail in the 12-lap Bootleggers feature. Rose then topped the competition in the 20-lap Modified 4s event, with Jeff Linkous in second place. To cap his busy night, Rose was the winner in the Enduro/Any Car feature covering 50 laps. ** Gary Ledbetter won the Challengers race in a 12-driver field. Ledbetter edged points leader Brody Duggins and third place went to Justin…

15 Jun

College softball, baseball: Perdue, others collect USA South honors

Randolph RecordSportsBrody Gardner, College baseball, College softball, Greensboro College athletics, Kyler Perdue, Pfeiffer athletics, USA South Conference

Kyler Perdue (Courtesy photo) Area softball players made big impacts during the past season Kyler Perdue of Pfeiffer was named the USA South Conference’s Rookie of the Year for softball. Perdue is a Southwestern Randolph graduate. Perdue, a freshman shortstop, batted .350, starting in all 49 games. She was an all-conference second-team selection. Pfeiffer produced a 45-4 record and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Falcons went 2-2 in the tournament, eliminated in a 6-4 loss to regional host Christopher Newport in Newport News, Va. Freshman infielder Madison Varner, also a Southwestern Randolph alum, had one hit in…