Sports - Randolph Record

02 Aug

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Zane Cheek

Randolph RecordSportsathlete of the week, high school sports, piedmont athletic conference, Prep Basketball, prep sports, prep track and field, Providence Grove athletics, Providence Grove football, randolph county sports

Providence Grove, multi-sport Cheek was active in each of the sports seasons, beginning as a multi-purpose back for the football team. He averaged more than 90 rushing yards per game as a senior in 2022. He again was selected as an All-Piedmont Athletic Conference player. He was one of Providence Grove’s key players in boys’ basketball as a guard. He wrapped up his prep career as a sprinter on the track and field team. His twin brother, Zander Cheek, also was a standout athlete for the Patriots. ** During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.

01 Aug

Leonard takes baseball path with Post 45; Southeast Regional set to begin in Asheboro

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Eastern Randolph athletics, McCrary Park, Pierce Leonard, Randolph County Post 45, Ronnie Pugh, Southeast Regional

Second baseman Pierce Leonard of Randolph County Post 45 makes a play in the field earlier this season. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Pierce Leonard is a first-year member of the Randolph County Post 45 baseball team. There’s a reason that he pursued American Legion baseball this summer. Having finished his final high school year at Eastern Randolph after transferring from Uwharrie Charter Academy, Leonard chose baseball as a preference in terms of a sport to play in college. “I figured I could go farther with baseball than I could basketball,” Leonard said. He said he’ll play baseball at Guilford…

31 Jul

ZooKeepers find different values in season

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

Dallas Callahan has been with Asheboro’s Coastal Plain League team even before this year. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Tyler McPeak and Dallas Callahan have given the Asheboro ZooKeepers a veteran presence in different ways during the Coastal Plain League baseball season. McPeak is looking to polish his swing and plate approach in advance of a final season at Lenoir-Rhyne, where he has been a record-setting slugger. “I’ve always been a guy that feels there’s something else to be desired,” McPeak said. “Chasing perfection in an imperfect game.” Callahan opted for a final go-around in a collegiate summer league even…

30 Jul

Hayes backtracks to Post 45, carves new path

Bob SuttonSportsAmerican Legion baseball, Braylen Hayes, Randleman athletics, Randleman baseball, Randolph County Post 45, UNCG

Braylen Hayes takes a swing for Randolph County Post 45 this summer. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ASHEBORO – Braylen Hayes didn’t anticipate being back with Randolph County Post 45 this summer, but he’s glad that opportunity existed. It’s turning out to be a good thing for Post 45 despite his unexpected availability. The former standout outfielder for Randleman didn’t make it to the finish line in his first college season at UNC Greensboro. “Just having too much fun in college. It went downhill and ended up not having the best grades,” Hayes said. “It was all on me. It’s good, though,…

29 Jul

UCA alum, ZooKeepers pitcher Hill finds new college home

Bob SuttonSportsAsheboro Zookeepers, Coastal Plain League, College baseball, Hunter Hill, summer college baseball, Uwharrie Charter Academy athletics

ASHEBORO – Hunter Hill arrived to play summer baseball with the Asheboro ZooKeepers while representing North Carolina Wesleyan. When he leaves, he’ll be heading to another college. Hill, a former Uwharrie Charter Academy pitcher, is transferring to Division II Belmont Abbey. “I’m excited about it,” he said. “I was happy to move up the ladder.” Hill pitched for two seasons for Division III N.C. Wesleyan without a loss on his record. The time in his first season with the ZooKeepers in the Coastal Plain League has given him confidence that he can be successful at a higher level. “It’s a…

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.

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…